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Lee Montague reads to Struan Marshall aged 5 at Keat’s House
Mick Scott |
Jackanory, the neverending tale
HE was the very first presenter of Jackanory, the hit BBC children’s storytelling show that ran for more than 30 years from 1965 until it was axed by television bosses ten years ago.
Stage and TV actor Lee Montague reprised his iconic role at Keats House in Hampstead on Tuesday when he read the first story featured on Jackanory 40 years ago.
Cap o’ Rushes, an English folk tale variant of the Cinderella story, featured in the first in a series of free storytelling sessions planned by Keats House staff to keep children entertained during half-term week.
Mr Montague, a neighbour of Keats House who is also a Friend of nearby Heath Library, was a natural choice for the story-teller’s role.
The actor, who began his career more than 50 years ago with film parts, kept the assembled youngsters enthralled with the simple story.
He said: “The Jackanory stories were great stories and they filled that one-to-one slot. These fairly simple stories started something in the child. Children are so sophisticated these days – it’s almost like they miss out on the years from one to ten.”
Mr Montague, who made 15 appearances on Jackanory, welcomed plans by BBC bosses to bring back the series later this year.
He said: “It’s wonderful – it just shows how good it was. It’s a shame it didn’t come back before.”
Others who appeared on Jackanory included actors Tom Baker, Dudley Moore, Sir Ian McKellen, Bernard Cribbins, Kenneth Williams and comedian Spike Milligan. Prince Charles famously appeared on the show to read his own tale, the Old Man of Lochnagar.
Mr Montague said: “When we started we did not know the impact it would have but it was rather nice to see what it became.
“It was a very small thing to begin with. The way it took off was extraordinary.”
Keat’s House manager Mick Scott, who took part in the story-telling session, said: “As the world becomes more and more sophisticated, the simple art of storytelling has great value. We have such a wealth of folk tales and stories in this country. I think the children enjoyed it very much.” |
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