Eli Woods (born John Casey; 11 January 1923 – 1 May 2014) was an English comedian and comic actor, born in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, possibly best known for his work with stage comedian Jimmy James (in reality his uncle), and particularly for his part in the famous 'elephant-in-the-box' routine.[1] He made his first professional appearance on the stage of the Hippodrome Theatre in Aldershot in Hampshire.
Jimmy James developed his famous act over many years, but from the first it required two 'stooges'. One was John "Jack" Casey—tall and stick-thin, with a bony face and a stammering delivery—who originally appeared as "Bretton Woods" (named after the location of the famous 1944 United Nations monetary and financial Conference), and only later redubbed as "Eli" Woods (often "Our Eli").[2] The other stooge, 'Hutton Conyers' would be played either by members of the Casey family - including, on occasion, James Casey - or (from 1956 to 1959) by Roy Castle. Much later, Woods was in the support cast of Castles in the Air, a comedy series on BBC Radio 2.
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Woods featured in three Eddie Braben scripted comedy shows: The Worst Show on the Wireless (20 episodes, 1973 -75) The Show With Ten Legs (26 episodes, 1978–80) and The Show with No Name (13 episodes, 1982–84). Both shows harked back to the music hall tradition. As a performer, Woods turned his lifelong stutter to his advantage, using it to comic effect in many contexts. For many years active as a stage and radio performer, Woods also appeared in a number of television comedies, as well as playing small parts in a variety of films including A Private Function released in 1984.[3]
Although Woods's birth name was John Casey, he was better known to his family as Jack. He died at home in Stockton-on-Tees in the early hours of Thursday 1 May 2014, aged 91.[5][6]
[1] A fan's page including a recent photograph of Eli Woods
The 'shoebox' or 'elephant-in-the-box' routine - an early version appears on Video on YouTube. Not currently (May '14) available because of copyright. A later Roy Castle version also appears on Video on YouTube
April 11, 2024
woods, born, john, casey, january, 1923, 2014, english, comedian, comic, actor, born, stockton, tees, county, durham, possibly, best, known, work, with, stage, comedian, jimmy, james, reality, uncle, particularly, part, famous, elephant, routine, made, first, . Eli Woods born John Casey 11 January 1923 1 May 2014 was an English comedian and comic actor born in Stockton on Tees County Durham possibly best known for his work with stage comedian Jimmy James in reality his uncle and particularly for his part in the famous elephant in the box routine 1 He made his first professional appearance on the stage of the Hippodrome Theatre in Aldershot in Hampshire Eli WoodsBornJohn Casey 1923 01 11 11 January 1923Stockton on Tees County Durham EnglandDied1 May 2014 2014 05 01 aged 91 Stockton on Tees County Durham EnglandOther namesJack CaseyBretton WoodsOccupation s Comedian and comic actorKnown forCollaborations with Jimmy James and othersJimmy James developed his famous act over many years but from the first it required two stooges One was John Jack Casey tall and stick thin with a bony face and a stammering delivery who originally appeared as Bretton Woods named after the location of the famous 1944 United Nations monetary and financial Conference and only later redubbed as Eli Woods often Our Eli 2 The other stooge Hutton Conyers would be played either by members of the Casey family including on occasion James Casey or from 1956 to 1959 by Roy Castle Much later Woods was in the support cast of Castles in the Air a comedy series on BBC Radio 2 During the late 1970s and early 1980s Woods featured in three Eddie Braben scripted comedy shows The Worst Show on the Wireless 20 episodes 1973 75 The Show With Ten Legs 26 episodes 1978 80 and The Show with No Name 13 episodes 1982 84 Both shows harked back to the music hall tradition As a performer Woods turned his lifelong stutter to his advantage using it to comic effect in many contexts For many years active as a stage and radio performer Woods also appeared in a number of television comedies as well as playing small parts in a variety of films including A Private Function released in 1984 3 The apex of his career in terms of recognition was appearing in a comedy sketch the elephant in a box routine with James Casey and Roy Castle in the 1982 Royal Variety Performance in which they also sing Kisses Sweeter than Wine 4 Although Woods s birth name was John Casey he was better known to his family as Jack He died at home in Stockton on Tees in the early hours of Thursday 1 May 2014 aged 91 5 6 Selected filmography editOver the Garden Wall 1950 References edit Berry Kevin 16 April 2007 The Good Old Days II The Stage The Stage Newspaper Retrieved 7 May 2009 Gifford Denis 1985 The golden age of radio an illustrated companion Batsford p 166 ISBN 978 0 7134 4234 2 Retrieved 2009 05 07 IMDb profile accessed 3 May 2014 Radio Times 14 November 1982 Webber Chris Tributes are paid to legendary Stockton comedian Northern Echo Retrieved 3 May 2014 Robson Dave Eli Woods died aged 91 Gazette Live Retrieved 2 May 2014 External links editEli Woods at IMDb 1 A fan s page including a recent photograph of Eli Woods The shoebox or elephant in the box routine an early version appears on Video on YouTube Not currently May 14 available because of copyright A later Roy Castle version also appears on Video on YouTube Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Eli Woods amp oldid 1171109193, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
