I first came across Cosmotheka (Greek for ‘the world is a stage’) in the late 1970’s when attending one of their gigs somewhat on spec. I knew nothing about them beforehand but came away with a copy of their album ‘A Little Bit Off The Top’ clutched tightly under my arm. Recently when setting up my music in our new home, I rediscovered it – and it made me smile. So I thought I would share it with you.
From 1972 to 1999, Dave & Al Sealey were Cosmotheka. Performing the songs of the Halls, they were considered by many to be the finest interpreters of the genre and appeared at venues across the country and around the world. There were numerous radio series and television appearances, and their many fans included Roy Hudd, Bob Monkhouse and Chas & Dave. Sadly Al died in 1999, but in recent times, Dave has reformed the group with his son Dan.
The Cosmotheka was a music hall in a less-than- salubrious area of Marylebone, London, between 1857 and 1869. As Al and Dave would usually explain at the start of their “act”, “It’s a funny name, isn’t it? Sounds like a Greek fish & chip shop… ‘The Cosmotheka was a music hall. It was a bit dirty, a bit seedy and a bit run-down… and we sing music hall songs, and we’re a bit dirty, a bit seedy and a bit run-down.”
Here is another wonderful example of their humour. It is interesting that the banner behind them has their spelt wrong. Enjoy
