23 November 1923 - 6 June 2012

Eric Goold was a creative driving force behind pantomimes enjoyed by tens of thousands of children, both young and old, over more than 50 years.

He was assistant finance manager at Glasgow Airport until his retiral in 1988 but was also the founder of Glasgow Airport Drama Club (now Runway Theatre Company), and author of a prolific creative output of traditional family shows (writing the book, original music and lyrics) and a huge number of original songs and sketches.

His writing had an optimistic, feel-good approach which has helped retain its appeal for almost half a century. It is estimated that something in the region of 111,000 audience members have attended an Eric Goold pantomime, many of them children enjoying their first theatrical experience.

He was born and raised in Dennistoun, Glasgow, and attended Whitehill Secondary School. His aptitude for music flourished in his teens, when he started writing material for various theatrical groups. He worked closely first with the Unity Theatre and then with Rutherglen Repertory Theatre, both as a pianist and as a contributor to musical reviews, performed in Rutherglen and in the Citizens Theatre during the 1940s and 1950s.

His first complete pantomime is thought to have been Babes in the Wood, performed by Rutherglen Repertory Theatre in the early 1940s. Around this time he wrote material for a number of performers who would later achieve popular fame in Scottish television and theatre, including Russell Hunter, John Grieve, Larry Marshall and Roddy McMillan.

Shortly after Glasgow Airport was opened in 1966, a group of employees got together with the idea of putting on entertainment in aid of local charities. Mr Goold came up with a script for an airport pantomime called Ali Babbotsinch. The show went on in the West School, Paisley, on December 15-16, 1967. Although never destined to be more than a one-off event, Mr Goold and his cast were anxious to build on their success, and after a few years, moved into the new Eastwood Theatre, Giffnock, in 1973.

With wife Jean he ran the whole operation, with him writing the scripts, music and lyrics; selling tickets; playing the piano and directing the shows and Mrs Goold making costumes and props.

Tickets were administered without the aid of computers, and patrons developed a personal relationship with the man they came to know as Mr Pantomime, who greeted them with the ever-present twinkle in his eye, and immaculately dressed in his white tuxedo at the theatre. The Goolds always ensured they put on the best show possible, not stinting on costumes or special props which have included waterfalls, Christmas card scenes, giants, beanstalks, and real ponies for Cinderella.

In 1995 Cilla Black's Surprise Surprise TV show picked up on Mr Goold's remarkable achievements. A huge stage was erected on Brighton Beach, and professional entertainers, headed by panto dame Christopher Biggins, performed a medley of his songs.

In 2012 Eric passed away after a short illness. His legacy lives on in the wonderful pantomimes that he wrote all those years ago and that are respectfully updated and performed by us year after year.

27 August 1925 - 1 January 2023

They say that behind every great man there is a great woman - and Jean Goold was certainly that.

Never one to draw attention to herself or seek the limelight, and never possessing theatrical ambitions, Jean supported her husband Eric 100% in his pantomime ventures, always saying to her family that she was happy to do it ‘just to help Dad.’

I first got to know Jean and Eric Goold almost 40 years ago when I came to join Glasgow Airport Drama Club. Unlike most amateur theatre groups, with their armies of officials and committees, Eric and Jean, ran the whole operation of the Club themselves – they were a real double act - with Eric writing the scripts, original music and song lyrics, playing the piano and directing the shows; with Jean making all the costumes and props, and even the tea at rehearsals. Tickets and mailing lists were administered without the aid of computers, and patrons came to develop a long-lasting and personal relationship with Mr and Mrs Pantomime.

The pantomimes produced by Eric and Jean were very much loved and highly successful. Individuals, families and community groups came back year after year.  With the pantomime at one time running for two weeks, and in recent years cramming 9 full-length shows into one week, it is estimated that something in the region of 120,000 audience members have attended a Goold panto.  One loyal friend and supporter has been to every single panto since the start – you would think she might have had more sense by now!

For many years the airport provided rehearsal accommodation on site in the Airport Social Club (a mixed blessing as the bar was open during Sunday afternoon rehearsals!); storage space was made available for the increasing number of props and fabulous costumes, created by Jean; (I often used to wonder what neighbours thought of Jean’s washing line when she took the Dame’s costumes home to launder after a panto run).

Jean was always a talented dressmaker - apparently when younger she used to make all her own clothes - she even made Miriam’s wedding gown - and this, coupled with her experience teaching crafts at work, and her work in Youth Clubs, equipped her to design and create wonderful Panto costumes and props. Speciality outfits for the Dame’s finale walk down costumes and the Song Sheet were amazing - we had a Chinese pagoda - fully illuminated of course; Barbie’s wedding cake; Big Ben; the London Eye; a Christmas pudding, a Giant Sun, a Mars Bar, a Tunnock’s tea cake, and Jean’s favourite - Fish and Chips. David and Miriam were often roped in to model these creations and assist with the engineering challenges they posed. But somehow Jean always managed to figure it out.

The volume of costumes and props resulted in the airport even making available one of their tied houses on Inchinnan Road, which our theatre group occupied for many years until recently.  

In 1995, Eric and Jean decided it was time to take a bit of a back seat, and I was honoured when they handed over the running of the Club to me, along with Campbell.  In order to mark the contribution they had both made over many years, we wrote to Cilla Black’s “Surprise Surprise” TV show. They picked up on their remarkable achievements,  and Eric, Jean, Campbell and I were soon whisked off to London with a chauffeur driven car from Gatwick Airport to a 5 star hotel in Brighton.  

Next day we were packed off to a West End show and, knowing that we would all be on national TV as soon as we arrived back in Brighton, and that Jean always took great pride in her appearance, I panicked and suggested in Victoria Station that Jean might want to go and visit the ladies and wash her face and comb her hair before we boarded the train. I’ll never forget the shocked look she gave me at this suggestion, but she did comply.

On Brighton Beach a huge stage had been erected, and professional singers, dancers and comedians headed by Dame Christopher Biggins performed a medley of Eric’s songs – Eric and Jean were delighted! 

Everyone who knew her loved Jean. She was a caring, loving person, who always greeted you with a big smile and a warm hug. The daughter of a ladies’ maid - she was always the lady herself - beautifully dressed with impeccable manners, her philosophy in life was not to fall out with anyone. In saying that she was certainly not a pushover - she was a strong and stoic woman. 

Jean was interested in everything and everyone. She had a remarkable memory. I am told she would sometimes discuss events that had occurred as long ago as 1929, and her recollections were usually crystal clear.  

Jean loved coming backstage to meet the cast, and would remember not only their names, but the names of their children and even nephews and nieces - something I struggle to remember myself! Even Cinderella’s Shetland ponies were not forgotten, and were gifted necklaces made of carrots. She loved encouraging new young talent, and was especially fond of anyone playing an animal part such as Tommy the Cat in Dick Whittington - one of the few roles performed by David in the early days before he decided that acting was really not for him. We loved seeing Jean backstage at the shows, usually accompanied by her big sister Cathie, with whom she was so close. We will all miss her smiling face and encouraging words.

Even in her final days in hospital, Jean was a model patient, never complaining, always pleasant, and staff found her a pleasure to look after.

As a hostess, Jean was unsurpassed - she loved company and entertaining, and she was a wonderful baker. Her apple pie was legendary, and came from a secret handwritten recipe from an old neighbour, which I am glad to say has fortunately been found, and is now in David’s safe hands. 

And she loved travelling - in the days before package holidays, Eric and Jean travelled extensively to Singapore, Hong Kong, Bulgaria, India, Florida, and Morocco, and many other far flung places. The only problem was they used to insist on taking their own sleeping bag and pillows, with Jean saying ‘you never know who’s been sleeping in these beds, do you?’

Although they formally handed over the running of the Club many years ago, Jean and Eric continued to be very much involved with tickets, props and wardrobe. They were still keen to be involved at auditions and rehearsals and both he and Jean enjoyed a good laugh.  I remember we were auditioning for the baddie, Demon Discontent, and a new elderly gentleman had come along and was desperate for the role. In his enthusiasm he over emphasised the punch line – “then all your days and nights will be spent, dreaming of Demon Discontent” and his false teeth came flying out, landing in front of the panel. Jean, like the rest of us, could barely suppress her giggles.

Although Eric passed away 10 years ago, Jean still gave his piano pride of place in the lounge at Killearn, always keeping it polished and tuned. Some time after his passing, Jean noticed the sheet music Eric had left on the piano - ‘I’ll See You Again.’

Jean and Eric have been close and loyal friends to many of us over many, many years and we’ve had some wonderful times – when I think of the great fun we had at Jean McCormack’s caravan at Croy Bay, and nights up at Killearn - filled with laughter, good food and usually finishing with a sing song until the early hours.  

Jean Goold was a wonderful, kind and loving person, who, along with Eric had a unique talent which gave pleasure to thousands. People loved them and wanted to be part of the magical world they created.  We are all poorer for Jean’s loss, but richer for having had the privilege of knowing her. And as we always said in Eric and Jean’s pantos:‘We hope we’ve given you a little pleasure And happy memories you’ll always treasure’

(Eulogy by Robert Fyfe)