George Edwards

George Edwards was born Henry Parks on March 11,1886 in Kent Town South Australia. From an early age his passion was acting and the theatre. He had the knack of mimicry and the story goes that in his early teens he was able to convince an angry neighbour to return a ball by using George's fathers' voice. 

As soon as he could he left school and spent all his time and money purchasing theatrical items such as makeup etc as well as going to the theatre. Also he joined an amateur theatrical group and was in many plays. By 18 he had made a name for himself in amateur  theatre as a mimic. However, his health "broke down" so his father booked him a passage to England. 

It was in England that he got his first professional job working for the famous impresario of British theatre, George Edwards. He did theatre all over England  as well as Music Hall, for he was also an accomplished dancer and singer. His career did not seem to reach the heights that would come later, as he moved from straight theatre, vaudeville to becoming a dancing instructor.  

It was during this period that he changed his name from Harold Parks to George Edwards at the behest of Edward Branscombe who was putting together an up market act did not want anyone who was associated with low brow music hall type acts. So Harold changed his name to the name of the famous English impresario.

The facts about this period are in question, as the biography's that are about for him were either written by George himself or his brother. Nothing bad seems to have happened. It is known that he was married twice and that his second wife died after an illness, It seems that George took this very hard and had to go to Germany to "take the waters" whether this meant, if we read between the lines, he hit the bottle is not really known. 

If we read Richards Lane's book or Sumner Locke Elliot's article in the Bulletin, which the former is in part was based upon, it would seem that in the years prior to 1931/2, George was on the skids and the story goes that he played pie nights and the Showboat a venue that was regarded as the pits for any performer. 

Around 1931, it seems, he advertised for a partner and this is where he met Nell Stirling. They became a double act. From here, his fortunes seemed to change.  In 1931 George appeared on the ABC in a Saturday variety show doing a ten minute stint . He also, with Nell, performed in department stores.

George was offered to produce a popular play at the time for 2GB, the Ghost Train. He had a budget of 70 pounds and was to provide the cast, the scriptwriter et all. At first George thought it too difficult but astute Nell saw an opportunity and agreed to do it. They hired an aspiring, but as yet untested, scriptwriter by the name of Maurice Francis and to save money Nell talked George into doing four or so roles. 

George was initially horrified, as he thought that people would see his as just a stunt to save money. He agreed on condition that what they were doing would not be mentioned. 

However, at the end of the show the announcer listed the parts that George played and the rest is history. Rather than being castigated, the public was enthralled that one person could play so many parts. Soon George had sponsors for his shows and of these there were many. 

He soon was working with 2GB and their, George and Nell's workload grew astonishingly. They had a morning show Darby and Joan, a children's session David and Dawn early evening, then a show such as Westward Ho between 6 and 7 pm, then an 8.oopm series of Inspector Scott or The Laughing Cavalier and to top things off another show around 10.00pm such as Notable British Plays.  Thus was 5 days a week. On the weekend there would be a special Darby and Joan evening version and on Sunday George and Co would do a play at 8.00pm. His popularity was not only limited to Sydney but Nationally as well. 

In the mid thirties he signed a contract with EMI Columbia at Homebush and now he had recording facilities. He also changed over to Station 2GB, where he would remain until his death. All shows were now recorded and his life eased a little, but in most of the show he produced he took many roles. 
 
In 1937 he started what many would consider to be the definitive Australian show Dad and Dave. Here George played many a part and would ply Dad until his death in 1953. By this time the George Edwards Productions held over 50000 episodes in its inventory. 
 
In the early years, say to 1942, George would be in most of his productions, after that he let up a little and took up his other interest of horses, opening his own stable, but with little success. He and Nell had a girl, Carolyn, in 1941, but the marriage was a little unsteady when in 1948 Nell and George was divorced with Nell taking over the reigns at George Edwards Productions She allowed George only one role and that was Dad in Dad and Dave which as previously mentioned he continued to play until his death.