One of the great professional entertainers in past times was Birt Morris who enjoyed great popularity in the Bourne area during the early years of the 20th century.

This was the era when the music hall was the only live entertainment for working people although he endeavoured to appeal to all classes with a lively mix of music, song, dance and comedy routines. A trade card of the period announced:

He was born Thomas Albert Morris, son of John T Morris, the printer, stationer and bookseller, with premises at No 13 West Street where his son worked, serving in the shop and later as a photographer, selling his own postcards, many humorous, including self-portraits of his various impressions such as The Misery Man, a particular favourite with the public. His reputation was that of "a rum comedian" and he was in great demand at concerts and parties, particularly all male functions such as masonic dinners.

He was a variety turn in the old music hall tradition, often performing to great acclaim at the Corn Exchange where he always commanded top billing.

The baker and confectioner, William Earle Pick, had the shop next door to John Morris in West Street and his daughter, Miss Violet Pick, remembered him in later years. "When I was a girl, Birt Morris called in every morning and purchased two bars of Fry's plain chocolate", she said. "He was a naturally funny man even when not performing on the stage. He was also very popular in the town."

Birt Morris was married and the couple had a son but they left Bourne sometime after 1922 when the last reference to him can be found in local archives and his subsequent whereabouts are not known.

THE MANY FACES OF BIRT MORRIS