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Uncle Andy | Pottering With Tom Allen 🌱

Tom Allen

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This week, I welcome someone particularly special into the garden, Uncle Andy! 🌿✨

A close family friend, Uncle Andy was the first person I knew who worked in the glittering world of show business and, to a tiny Tom Allen, proof that a life on the stage was possible! 🎭

#tomallen #pottering #theatre

We chat about his extraordinary years in the theatre, from eight shows a week with Angela Lansbury to working with THE Barbra Streisand. We also delve into Polari, the realities of being gay in the performing arts and take a truly delightful trip down memory lane. I do very much hope you enjoy!

So, curtains up! Grab yourself a freshly squeezed orange juice, settle into your finest chair, and come Pottering with us. 🪴

🎧 Watch on YouTube and Spotify, or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

And please do like and subscribe, or leave a review! @tomallen

#WestEnd #MusicalTheatre #AngelaLansbury #BarbraStreisand #Polari #LGBTQHistory #podcast #pubityfood

20 Comments

@georgebodin7072 4 weeks ago

I have loved every guest you've had on Pottering. But, your Uncle Andy has been the best thus far! His memories are priceless, and I'm glad that you, Tom, have recorded them here. Absolute gold!

@garyporter5423 3 weeks ago

My favourite episode of any podcast ever. The world needs need more from this absolute legend.

@deelot1 4 weeks ago

Please bring Uncle Andy back,I want to hear more of his stories and his mother's letters read out loud by him

@jennivanhart3016 2 weeks ago

OMG, I have tears in my eyes, Uncle Andy, you are effing delightful! What tales. You definitely need to write all these scandals down!

@IainWILLETT-k7k 4 weeks ago

I was a dresser on the Palladium production of ‘La Cage aux Folles’.
Andy and the rest of the ‘notorious Cagelles’ created an amazing company atmosphere.

@JaneStewart-w2w 3 weeks ago

Thank you Tom and Uncle Andy, the most wonderful hour.❤

@JaneGosden 3 weeks ago

Loved listening to Uncle Andy. He is a brilliant raconteur and his stories from his time in the theatre were absolutely priceless. I hope you have him back in the garden again. I hope he does write a book, it would be a brilliant read.

@sharonclark-n7f 4 weeks ago

we need a regular Uncle Andy episode please, he is fabulosa !

@bluelightalarm 4 weeks ago

Thank you so much Tom for bringing Uncle Andy on to entertain us all! It is so wonderful to listen to his stories and hear about how things were. It's something that a lot of younger gay guys like myself just do not have in their life. Thank you!

@Hisenormity 4 weeks ago

Literally crying with laughter. Love the stories. Return guest soon please.

@claireannhaddrell2580 7 hours ago

Wonderful ❤

@denisegeeves8977 3 weeks ago

such fun to hear memories of Bromley, Penge and Beckenham my teenage (1970s) haunts

@suzannecrockett8535 4 weeks ago

Uncle Andy ❤ This was my favourite Pottering episode by a mile and I love all of them. Please bring him back for another chat sometime soon x

@lou-jane71 4 weeks ago

I only discovered Andy recently when my daughter introduced me to the brilliant boomer vs Gen Z videoson YOUTube. He and Freddie are treasures on that.

@frankgayton2754 4 weeks ago (edited)

How wonderful it has been spending time with Uncle Andy and listening to his stories; the music in his delivery, the subjects discussed. He has taken me back to a time when it was fun to be gay. There is no more joy in it, with everything being so politicized and "correct" today; so easy to set a foot wrong and find oneself ostracized. I grew up knowing many such characters and he has brought them back to life. Thank you so much.

@HumanityAddict 4 weeks ago

Uncle Andy must be protected AT ALL COSTS !! 😆❤️👏🏻...The book cannot come quick enough...

@georgemaxwell4984 3 weeks ago

Uncle Andy is quite something. When he was talking about dumping in the Royal Box I actually thought he meant in the Royal box itself not the Royal loos. He's hilarious. 😂