*the premiere of “WILKO” – at the Queens Theatre-Hornchurch-Essex

Earlier this month my London Shoes ventured out to a local theatre, for the purpose of catching a performance of a brand-new play.

Now – ‘Shoes’ don’t usually do ‘plays’ – but as it was an unusual and a lesser known production, it perfectly fitted London Shoes criteria – and apart from that, in my opinion, it most definitely warranted a blog.

The current ‘Queens Theatre’ in Hornchurch-Essex was opened in 1975 – and is renowned for being a place where big productions are rolled-out and ‘tested’ before being launched in major theatres in the West End and the rest of the UK – a sort of ‘nursery of talent’ – a  ‘live’ dress rehearsal venue for new plays/musicals.

Some of the Actors/Actresses that have ‘trodden the boards’ at the ‘Queens’ who went on to make a name for themselves in the industry are the likes of:- Anthony Hopkins / Prunella Scales / Bernard Cribbins / Liz Fraser / Joan Plowright / Timothy West / Glenda Jackson (to name just a few).

So – it was the Queens Theatre that myself and the ‘GLW’ (ie good lady wife’) Angela trekked off to – to see the world premier production of the play….. “WILKO”.

 

The play portrays the life story of the late “Wilko Johnson” one time guitarist with the influential Canvey Island based band “Dr. Feelgood” – a band who most certainly had a massive influence of the music scene of the mid to late 1970’s and beyond.

But – who is/was ‘Wilko Johnson’ that this play is all about??

Here’s ‘London Shoes’ brief overview of his life:-

John Wilkinson was born in Canvey Island-Essex in 1947.

He attended Westcliffe High School and then went on to study English Literature at Newcastle University.

After he graduated John Wilkinson went on a sort of ‘hippie’ pilgrimage to India – returning in 1972 to become an English teacher in London.

Always into his ‘music’ John Wilkinson had saved up his pennies and bought his first guitar, a Fender Telecaster – for £90…..a prestigious branded instrument, costing a lot of money in those days.

He was a big fan of the band ‘Johnny Kidd & the Pirates’ (of ‘Shakin’ all Over’ fame) and particularly their guitarist ‘Mick Green’ who, very much had his own unique style of playing.

Influenced by Mick Green, Wilkinson developed his own personal unique style of playing – a sort of guitar picking movement, very percussive and combing rhythm and leads between ‘chopped’ chords.

John Wilkinson played in many local bands and very soon became a ‘face’ in Canvey Island and throughout Essex – it is around this time that he acquired the nickname “WILKO” a name he was referred to as for the rest of his life.

In 1971 he helped form the Canvey Island band ‘Dr. Feelgood’ – with singer ‘Lee Brilleaux’ – J.B Sparks (ie Sparko) on bass – John Martin (aka The Big Figure) on drums – this group went on to be by far the most successful and loved version of Dr. Feelgood.

The band name Dr. Feelgood derives from a US slang name for heroin and/or a pharmacist that unofficially prescribes drugs to ‘get you by or get you high’.

It is around this time that Wilko bought a vintage 1962 made Fender Telecaster guitar with a distinctive rosewood fingerboard – his favoured guitar for the rest of his life.

By 1973 Dr.Feelgood had acquired a glowing reputation and a massive following with their brand of energetic, down and dirty set of high octane rhythm & blues music.

They were one of the top draw bands on the London ‘Pub Rock’ scene – selling out, now iconic venues such as:- The Lord Nelson / The Hope & Anchor / The Half Moon / The Dublin Castle.

In 1974 Dr. Feelgood released their debut album – the high energy ‘Down by the Jetty’ – an album that saw their popularity spread from London to the rest of the country – they had finally ‘made it’.

Another successful album ‘Malpractice’ was released in 1975 – as their popularity continued to grow – they were now highly in demand.

In 1976 they released the ‘live’ album ‘Stupidity’ which rose to No.1 in the UK Album Charts –

1977 saw the release of their ‘Sneakin’ Suspicions’ album, but it was at this time that cracks started to appear in the relationship between lead singer Lee Brilleaux and Wilko – both extremely charismatic characters and both the ‘face’ of Dr. Feelgood.

Arguments and disagreements led to Wilko quitting the Feelgood’s – and despite various incarnations of the band throughout the coming years – they were never as popular as they were when Wilko was with them.

Dr. Feelgood are now looked upon as being one of the biggest influences on the emergence of the ‘Punk Scene’ in the late 1970’s.

In 1980 Wilko joined ‘Ian Dury & the Blockheads’ for a short period – but it didn’t really work out as Wilko’s style just didn’t suit the Blockheads material, which was actually quite technical.

Wilko continued to gig with various versions of his band, throughout the 1990’s & 2000’s – releasing several solo albums of his rhythm & blues material.

In 2004 tragedy hit Wilko when his childhood sweetheart and wife Irene died from cancer – the loss and grief almost broke Wilko.

In 2010 Wilko was offered an acting role when chosen to play a part in the now legendary “Game of Thrones”.

So for a while, Wilko swapped music for acting and played the part of ‘Ser IIyn Payne’ the Royal Executioner in the iconic tv production.

In 2013 Wilko’s wheels came off again, when he was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. Wilko refused chemo and instead undertook a ‘Farewell Tour’ and also took time to visit places he loved, like Japan.

At the end of 2013 he played his last gig in Camden Town – claiming that he was far too ill to tour anymore.

It was at this time that one of his best mates encouraged Wilko to get a 2^nd opinion from a cancer specialist that he knew.

The assessment showed that Wilko’s pancreatic cancer was not as aggressive as first diagnosed – and an offer was made, of an operation to get rid of all the dodgy bits inside him – an offer Wilko accepted.

In 2014 a 12hr operation saw the removal of Wilko’s pancreas / spleen / part of his stomach / his small and large intestine and a cancer tumor that was the size of a melon!!!!

Following a period of over 12mths rehabilitation – Wilko was told that he was now ‘cancer free’.

This gave him a new lease of life that he took by the scruff of the neck and got back to what he loved best – making music and playing ‘live’ gigs.

In late 2014 he released the album ‘Going Back Home’ with his good friend Roger Daltry of The Who – and he went back ‘on-the-road’ again, performing gigs all over the place.

In 2016 Wilko was given an Honorary Doctor of Arts by Anglia University.

Wilko continued to record and perform ‘live’ in between his other 2 loves – astronomy and poetry. He even had a big telescope set up in the attic of his Westcliffe-on-Sea home – where he would spend evening studying the stars and the universe.

Sadly – the Big C finally caught up with Wilko and he died on 21/11/2022 in his Westcliffe home aged 75.

So – turning back to the world premiere production of the play ‘Wilko’ – it is written by Jonathan Maitland, a playwright, who’s biggest most well-known work is probably his ‘The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson’.

His play covers off the true story of Wilko’s life – from cradle to grave.

Interestingly, there are only 5 actors in the cast – each of whom play numerous parts of people throughout Wilko’s life – these actors are also excellent musicians who adapt to bang out a few of the Feelgood’s biggest numbers.

Actor ‘Johnson Willis’ plays Wilko throughout and plays him brilliantly – he sounds just like him – has all his mannerisms and plays guitar just like him.

The play portrays Wilko warts and all – an Essex man / uncompromising / exciting / hilariously funny / very well read & a unique musician.

At the end of the play a recording of Wilko being interviewed by Maitland is played – it’s a real tearjerker.

Even if you don’t know who Wilko was – or – even if you’re not a fan of the high octane pub rock rhythm & blues music….this play would still be enjoyed, coz it’s such a great story superbly acted.

The play did something like 20+ nights at the Queens and to date it has received high praise and reviews from the media.

If it ever comes your way – try to go and see it – you certainly wont be disappointed.

*(obviously – I’ve had to source quite a few of these images from other websites – to be able to tell this story)

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See below the entire gallery of photos taken to support this “WILKO” blog