Jim
Thomas as Mr. Paravacini in Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap" (the
world's longest running play, 66 years non-stop)
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Jim Thomas first
went on stage in 1939. And you know what happened next! 'Twas only a
school play, but he was hooked! Since then he's had a myriad of jobs
ranging from Ship's Steward on the big liners in the '50s, worked as a
coal miner in Lancashire, installed fuses in rockets for CF100 'All
Weather Interceptor' aircraft and destroyed old bombs (they were past
their 'best by' date) for the RCAF.
Served in the RAF as a Radar Technician, worked for CTV in CFCF's
Studios as a techie and worked for "Screen Gems" (a division of
Columbia Pictures) behind and in front of the cameras. Finally, he
worked as a Control Tech at Bruce Nuclear Power Development, retiring
in 1993.
Always involved
in theatre and performing, he also did Dinner Theatre and Legion Shows,
featuring songs by Noel Coward and Flanders & Swan, and of course,
Monologues. This, as well as writing five pantomimes with his fellow
'pantomologist' Terry Bryan and playing "The Dame" in "Ali Baba". He
also
composed the music for "Jack & The Beanstalk", twelve songs in all.
Current project, with co-composer/arranger/writer, Patt Lowry, is a
revamped
version of
RLS's 'Treasure Island' with music.
In 1999 he got a
call from the BBC in London, England, asking him to contribute to a
half hour radio show about Stanley Holloway and "Albert and the Lion".
A 'virtual' round table discussion about the monologues Stanley did,
and to perform as well. He was linked to BBC's 'Broadcasting House' via
satellite from CKNX Wingham, Ontario. THe show was transmitted by the
BBC on Radio 4 (there was no radio 5 :o)))) in January 2000 and again
in August of that year.
Born in
Liverpool, England, Jim now lives on the shores of beautiful Lake Huron
in Kincardine, Ontario where he is still active and performing.
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