Memorabilia and pictures from the golden age of one of the most loved comic actors of his generation has gone on display at the House of Mannanan.

’Follow A Star’ features rare and iconic clothing, stage props, awards and photographs of Norman Wisdom, and are all part of a personal collection of Norman’s son Nick Wisdom.

The memorabilia, collected over an eight-year period, covers the period of 1950s through to the mid 60s, during which Norman was at the height of his fame.

His comic ’Gump’ character, which mixed slapstick, clownish buffoonery and a lovable, childish, everyman charm, became the subject of several hit films, produced by the Rank Organisation.

Featuring prominently are his trademark, threadbare suits, on which his characters were dressed.

Hannah Murphy, from Manx National Heritage, said that the suits on display cover his most successful periods.

’We have two suits here,’ said Hannah.

’One is the earlier suit that Norman found in a second hand charity shop in Scarborough, and this is the suit that really launched his "gump" persona.

’You can see on this suit that he has replaced a button. He was a very energetic character and he must have burst out of it as he was jumping around the stage.

’We also have the one that he wore during many of his films with the Rank organisation.’

There are also a collection of musical instruments, which Hannah said are testament to his talent and commitment to his parts and developing his stage shows.

’He learned to play a variety of instruments in the army, and he also taught himself to play many more later on,’ she said.

’He picked up a saxophone, included in the exhibition at a second hand store.

’He’d get ideas of what he could do in his act, and he would go off and look for costumes and props, like these instruments.

’This saxophone cost him £12, and it was something he really treasured.

’It was something that stayed in his stage acts throughout his career, and we have some nice footage of him playing some of these instruments, like his drum kit, his clarinet or a sousaphone, on stage at the London Palladium, with Bruce Forsyth.’

Included in the display is an oil painting of Norman performing on stage during the play ’The Wonderful Lamp’, in 1956. It was painted by the artist Francis Flint from the side of the stage, and has been displayed here for the first time.

’The exhibition is very well thought out by Nick,’ said Hannah.

’He has very carefully planned out how he wants to display the material. We have been able to add our own quotes and other artefacts that help tell a picture.’

This is the largest display of memorabilia that Nick has shown, and he is excited about bringing it to the island, which was Norman’s home for 30 years.

Also included is a Gaiety theatre poster from 1977, for the show which brought Norman to the island for the first time.

’Follow A Star’ is open until Sunday, January 20.

by Mike Wade

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