Press Officer Rick Purnell writes ….

‘The Clown Prince of Denmark’ or the ‘Melancholy Dane’ was quickly revealed by  Jim Redman the February speaker for Teignmouth Probus Club as the celebrated pianist, conductor and comedian, Victor Borge. Born as Boerge Rosenbaum in Copenhagen in 1909 he was quickly recognised as a musical child prodigy with his 1st public recital aged 6 rising to being a concert pianist by the age of 17. With the intervention of WWII, as Europe was not a safe place for those of Jewish faith, he escaped via Finland to America taking citizenship in 1948. He soon developed his own inimitable amazing combination of humour from classical music best known for his work in  ‘Comedy in Music’  which became a Guiness Book of records for the longest ‘one man show’ with 849 performances.

Many U Tube video clips of his most popular performances, entertained us, recalling fond memories of his special talents to entertain and ‘have fun’.

He used his unique position to found Charitable Trusts, particularly  the ‘Scandinavia Fund’ a charity supporting students to America and Israel. Married with 5 children, Victor died in 2000 aged 91.

The vote of thanks was given by member Ian Dodds.

Our Press Officer’s life was touched by Victor Borge as during his year as Chairman of Wilmslow Round Table no 616, he entertained Victor as the quest star for a very successful ‘sell-out’ Charity Show ‘An Evening with Victor Borge’ at the Rex Cinema in Wilmslow in the 1970’s. He recalls that Mr Borge was very particular indeed about the piano even though very few notes were actually played.