Roger De Courcey is a British

ventriloquist Ventriloquism or ventriloquy is an act of stagecraft in which a person (a ventriloquist) speaks in such a way that it seems like their voice is coming from a different location, usually through a puppet known as a "dummy". The act of ventrilo ...

and artists' agent, best known for performing with Nookie Bear. He was the winner of the 1976 ''

New Faces ''New Faces'' is a British television talent show that aired in the 1970s and 1980s. It has been hosted by Leslie Crowther, Derek Hobson and Marti Caine. It was produced for the ITV network by ATV, and later by Central. Original series: ...

'' televised talent competition grand final.

Biography

De Courcey has performed on the West End stage, in productions of musicals ''

Sweet Charity ''Sweet Charity'' is a musical with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Dorothy Fields, and book by Neil Simon, based on the screenplay for the 1957 Italian film '' Nights of Cabiria''. It was directed and choreographed for Broadway by Bob Fosse sta ...

'', ''Two Cities'' and ''

Company A company, abbreviated as co., is a Legal personality, legal entity representing an association of legal people, whether Natural person, natural, Juridical person, juridical or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members ...

''. He has appeared at the

London Palladium The London Palladium () is a Grade II* West End theatre located on Argyll Street, London, in Soho. The theatre was designed by Frank Matcham and opened in 1910. The auditorium holds 2,286 people. Hundreds of stars have played there, many wit ...

many times including the 1976

Royal Variety Performance The ''Royal Variety Performance'' is a televised variety show held annually in the United Kingdom to raise money for the Royal Variety Charity (of which King Charles III is life-patron). It is attended by senior members of the British royal ...

. In 1978 he released 'Nookie's Song', on the

Pye Records PYE or Pye Records is an independent British record label. It was first established in 1955 and played a major role in shaping rock 'n' roll and pop music history. The Pye name was dropped in 1980 due to trademark issues, after which it produced ...

Label. A

freemason Freemasonry (sometimes spelled Free-Masonry) consists of fraternal groups that trace their origins to the medieval guilds of stonemasons. Freemasonry is the oldest secular fraternity in the world and among the oldest still-existing organizati ...

, he is a member of Chelsea Lodge No. 3098, the membership of which is made up of entertainers. De Courcey is also a member and former "King Rat" of the

Grand Order of Water Rats The Grand Order of Water Rats is a British entertainment industry fraternity and charitable organisation based in London. Founded in 1889 by the music hall comedians Joe Elvin and Jack Lotto, the order is known for its high-profile membership an ...

which is the oldest theatrical fraternity in the world. De Courcey is also an agent, and represented musician

Rick Wakeman Richard Christopher Wakeman (born 18 May 1949) is an English keyboardist and composer best known as a member of the progressive rock band Yes across five tenures between 1971 and 2004, and for his prolific solo career. AllMusic describes Wakema ...

. His son is the actor

Jamie de Courcey Jamie de Courcey is an English actor. He has appeared in a number of British television shows, including ''The Crown'', '' The Tunnel'', ''Downton Abbey'', ''Taboo'', ''Agatha Christie's Poirot'', and ''Midsomer Murders''. He has also appeared i ...

. De Courcey is a fan of Crystal Palace Football Club.

References

External links

* 1944 births Living people Freemasons of the United Grand Lodge of England Place of birth missing (living people) British male comedians Comedians from London Ventriloquists {{UK-comedian-stub English Freemasons