Statue tribute to comedy legend
Archived press release
Date Published: 21/09/10
Ronnie Barker as prison inmate Fletcher in Porridge
A larger-than-life bronze statue of the late comedy legend Ronnie Barker is set to be unveiled in Aylesbury.
The Porridge and Open all Hours star, who died in 2005, aged 76, began his acting career in the town more than 60 years ago.
Aylesbury Vale District Council commissioned internationally-acclaimed sculptor Martin Jennings to design the statue as part of the multi-million pound Waterside development project.
It will take pride of place in the new public space outside the soon-to-be-opened Aylesbury Waterside Theatre in Exchange Street.
The statue will be officially unveiled by Mr Barker’s widow, Joy, at a special ceremony on 30 September at 11am. It is expected that she will be joined by some of his former colleagues including long-time comedy partner Ronnie Corbett and Open all Hours co-star David Jason.
Sculptor Martin Jennings has depicted Mr Barker in his role as prison inmate Norman Stanley Fletcher, in the classic 1970s’ series Porridge, sitting on a stone bench looking up at the new theatre. The 5ft 6in (1.7m), 100kg statue was modelled by hand last winter and then cast in bronze at the Pangolin Foundry in Gloucestershire this summer.
Mr Jennings, whose work includes the statue of poet Sir John Betjeman at St Pancras station in London, said: “It’s been delightful to make this statue of Ronnie Barker. He was a comic genius. And he was a wonderful shape to sculpt. I've depicted him in his Porridge character glancing up approvingly at the new theatre as if looking back happily over a long career to the days when he began it all in Aylesbury.”
Ronnie Barker was born in Bedford in 1929 and worked in a bank before joining the Aylesbury Repertory Company. He made his professional debut on 15 November 1948, at the old County Theatre in Aylesbury’s Market Square, with a small role playing Lieutenant Spicer in J. M. Barrie’s Quality Street.
By 1955 he was in demand in the West End and appeared in a number of productions including Mourning Becomes Electra, Lysistrata and Irma La Douce. During the 1960s, he became well established as a radio performer, leaving his theatrical career in the wings.
He teamed up with Ronnie Corbett in 1971, and their popular sketch show – The Two Ronnies – ran for 12 series over 16 years. His many accolades include four Baftas and an OBE, which he was awarded in 1978.
Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of Aylesbury Vale District Council, said: “The sculptor Martin Jennings has created a wonderful work of art. The statue is a fitting tribute to a great man and one of Britain’s best loved performers. I’m sure it will not only delight theatregoers, but will also be an attraction to Ronnie Barker fans throughout the country and perhaps even further afield.”
Excitement is mounting as the finishing touches are added to the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, which opens in October. Managed by the Ambassador Theatre Group on behalf of AVDC, the theatre will host a stunning array of drama, music and dance.