Book Blurb:
On With The Show is the incredible story of Bert Eason, singer, pianist, comedian and master of ceremonies who performed in over 250 concerts with his fellow artists to raise money for the needy during the great depression in Montreal. His efforts continued as night manager of the Army & Navy Veterans’ Club to raise funds for the Canadian war effort during WWII.
"On With the Show is an entertaining biography of 1930's showman, Bert Eason. Author Rick Pyves takes us back and tells the fascinating tale of a singer, comedian (and ancestor) who cheered hundreds of audiences with performances during the Great Depression and WWII. Chock-full of Canadian and war history, dozens of photographs, and a complete index of all performers, it's an in-depth and enjoyable read!"
– Deb Statas, author of The Kingston Sisters Trilogy
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/9cjdgwO
Editorial Review:
“Just thirteen days into the new year, Bert was back in action. His first engagement was a Grand Variety Concert organized by Walt Sissons for the British Empire Service League Branch No. 19 at Whites Hall on Wellington Street. Amongst the performers was Dave Marr, who led the audience in community singing and Andy Moxely, a concert baritone, as well as Donald McGowan as the Yodeling Cowboy and Magician Lyman Francis. For this show, they billed Bert as a lyric tenor.”
“On With The Show” by Richard R Pyves is an immersive tale of life in the Depression and war years, following Bert Eason and his family as they make their way in turbulent times. Bert is an entertainer, originally from Brighton, England who then makes his home in Canada. Pyves is Bert’s grandson, and the story is a family biography with wider appeal. Bert’s involvement in the entertainment industry provides a vibrant background to the novel, and Pyves’ extensive research is evident throughout the narrative.
Bert’s childhood in Brighton, the loss of his mother, his father’s remarriage and then the loss of siblings is more than most children could bear, and it seems that his circumstances strengthened Bert’s resolve to emigrate and start a new life. His plans turned to Canada, where he arrived with $25 to his name. These types of stories never get old, causing the modern reader to shake their head in admiration at one man’s determination to forge a new life.
Bert finds work and begins to settle in his new country, meeting and marrying Kathleen and then, like so many others, enlisting in World War One. These early chapters are fascinating read, and the addition of historical photographs further sets the scene. Peacetime, and a growing family, led Bert to consider leveraging his love of music to earn extra income, and so, a career in entertainment bloomed.
“After enduring the depression for six years, in early 1936 the politicians and the public hoped that things were on the verge of improving. In early January, the Federal Government passed a new Dominion Housing Act to help build new homes. This new act would allow individuals to secure low-interest, long-term loans to stimulate the housing market by making it more affordable to build and purchase homes. In addition, in the Federal Government’s Speech from the Throne, the government committed to creating a National Commission on Unemployment & Relief and ratifying the Canada-USA Trade Pact. Another major commitment was to close the relief camps for single men and replace this unpopular program by employing at least 10,000 of the camp inhabitants on farms in the west. Also, at year end in 1936, the Montreal Stock Exchange had fully recovered from the stock market crash of 1929. Its composite index was now at 68.2 versus 67.4 on October 23, 1929.”
The story of the Eason Family is absorbing throughout the novel, and all who share similar backgrounds in their own family will find much to relate to. The fact that the story is about real people makes it so much more compelling, as the reader observes courtships, marriages, careers and the growing of children. “On With The Show” also focuses on the entertainment industry of the times, and the author has set out comprehensive details of shows and performances that his grandfather was involved in. The story is also given further context through the inclusion of historical background, both political and social. Some readers may feel that different editing choices would have allowed more of a focus on the Eason Family, rather than broad historical developments. The author’s approach of setting out so much background distances the reader from the immediacy of Bert Eason’s family and career, and at times, the novel reads more like a social history. This means that the pacing of the book does vary from chapter to chapter. “On With The Show” also contains appendices with details of family history, and these will be fascinating for all with an interest in genealogy, and personal stories.
“Each morning, Bert sat down at the kitchen table with his coffee and breakfast to read the local paper, the Montreal Gazette. He looked for headlines explaining what was happening back home in England. On January 3, an article on the front page caught his attention. The German Air Force had just bombed Dublin for the third time. It was a story he passed onto Kathleen. The approval of the USA Lend-Lease Act by the USA Foreign Affairs Committee, which allowed President Roosevelt to lend, lease or sell war materials to any nation whose defense was important to the defense of the USA was a welcome piece of news. Without the extensive credit line of over $7 billion to Britain and its allies, Bert knew that the ability for Britain to carry on fighting alone would be impossible.”
“On With The Show: The Life and Times of Singer & Comedian Bert Eason During the Great Depression” by Richard R Pyves is a fascinating insight into the story of Bert and Kathleen Eason and their family, as well as Bert’s entertainment career. The book also contains extensive records of various shows and performances, and historical background and context is woven throughout the narrative. A great book to read for those with similar family histories in Canada, or in the entertainment industry during two of Canada’s most challenging decades. A wonderful tribute to the power of family.
*****
“On With The Show: The Life and Times of Singer & Comedian Bert Eason During the Great Depression” by Richard R Pyves receives 3 ½ stars from The Historical Fiction Company
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