Photo from Album of Sadie Strong (nee Boyars)

Description

Sadie (1917-1949) lived in Liverpool, married Gershon Gerald Strong in 1940. During the Second World War Sadie was a member of ENSA and her husband served in the army.

Entertainments National Service Association, nicknamed ‘Every Night Something Awful’ was set up by Basil Dean and Leslie Henson, both well known theatrical and film producers and directors, in 1939 to entertain British troops in the Second World War in the front lines around the world and also in the UK. Entertainers were paid £10 a week and members of the chorus were paid £4 a week.

The entertainment was varied and ranged from theatrical performances to song and dance acts, magic, comedy and all kinds of variety performances. Stars of the day who were members of ENSA included Vera Lynn, Gracie Fields, Tommy Cooper and Lawrence Olivier. There were many Jewish entertainers including Denis Norden (comic), Miriam Karlin (actress), Gerald Frankel (dancer), Bud Flanagan (singer, variety artist) and Geraldo (musician) and his orchestra. It is not know what Sadie’s role in ENSA was.