Tom's tribute to dad Compo

Jun 11 2002 By Val Javin, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Tom tried the show out in Blackpool when he was appearing in pantomime playing Baron Hardup.

"I didn't know whether there was any interest. I was happy to do it once and put it to bed."

But the reception it got in that seaside try-out persuaded him to take the idea a step further. And with filming due to start on another series of Summer Wine, there was only one place to go. Holmfirth.

This new 50 minute show plays CragRats Theatre in Holmfirth for four nights later this month. "It's a great venue for me. It's the town and the people that dad loved. It will be cathartic for me to perform in Holmfirth."

The show takes its unusual title from a string of coincidences connecting the number 14 with Bill Owen. It formed part of his date of birth, of his birth weight and his first address.

"In the research I did for this show, it's bizarre how our lives were running and even now, still do run, in parallel."

See for yourself how the two Owens, father and son, lived their lives and came to have a common bond in a small Pennine town. For that matter see Tom sing six of the many songs that his father wrote.

* The show, with accompanist Sue Ogden, from Brockholes, runs from June 20-23. An extra night has been added due to demand. One of the performances will be dedicated to Gordon Wharmby who played Wesley Pegden in the series and who died suddenly last month.