Tragicaly, the man who was to many the greatest ever Ventriloquist Ray Allen has died at the age of 79.
Ray was a true genius, a gentleman, and a total one off.
His characters Ali Cat, Titch and Quackers, and Lord Charles have been an enormous part of my development.
The thought that they shall never talk again, is just so sad!.
Ray started his carreer as a magician, and impressionist working the music halls and variety theatres all over the place.
he supported many of the big stars, including Laurel and Hardy.
His first journey into ventriloquism, was an accident.
one day during his act, he found that a workman had left a box on his table.
he decided to use it, and performed an impression of the world renouned vent Senior Wences.
Audiences loved this bit. he then decided to create a head for the box.
this head became a full figure, who became Lord Charles.
Charles, was the only vent figure in the world, who aged at the same rate as his manipulator.
As i said.. a genius, and inovator, and a true magician ..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkYD1Z_Z0wE
