It’s a strange fact that, regardless of the age you’re at, there remains – or, better, persists – the seemingly unshakeable belief that, eventually, you will get round to doing that “whatever” it was, or calling that friend and then, suddenly, you find you can’t.
And so it is for me with the unexpected demise of Tim Brooke-Taylor.
I met Tim in 1964 when I became Musical Director of Cambridge University Footlights review, “Cambridge Circus”, in which, together with John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Jonathon Lynn and Bill Oddie, he was a writer/performer. We played some dates in UK, toured New Zealand and opened at The Plymouth Theatre on Broadway on October 9th.
It was Tim who gave me – the new boy – the nickname “Brumas” and it has stayed with me since. The attached drawing was done by Humphrey Barclay, director of the show.
It’s not that long ago since I saw Tim. It was prior to a recording in Brighton of “Sorry, I haven’t a clue” when he greeted me, predictably, with “Hi, Bru” and then, in a manner so like him, spent several minutes in conversation with a close friend of mine and long time fan of his! That it was her 50th birthday was no coincidence.
R.I.P. Tim, and Bless you.
Footnote:
Brumas was the first baby polar bear to be born in England in November 1949.
He quickly became a nation’s favourite.
