1 CD: 60 minutes 31 seconds

1 CD, Alan Curtis and Johnny Dennis, announcers at Lord's, interviewed by David Rayvern Allen. The CD consists of 1 track. Track 1: [0:00-2:55] Curtis talks about the history of announcers being used at cricket grounds and Dennis taking over from him, [2:55-3:40] Dennis talks about when he first started announcing at cricket grounds and how he became an announcer through encouragement from Brian Johnston, [3:40-4:20] Dennis talks about the training he received in being an announcer including trying to spot the players and making mistakes, [4:20-6:30] Curtis talks about the decision to use a public address system by the MCC, and initially using Martin Boddey as an announcer, and being chosen to become the announcer at Lord's, a letter from Geoffrey Howard recommending Curtis for the job, [6:30-8:00] Curtis talks about turning down the opportunity and being replaced by Clarence Wright, [8:00-10:15] Curtis talks about the rest of announcers used for Test Matches. [10:15-12:35] Curtis talks about receiving a letter from J A Bailey asking if he would be available for all Test Matches in 1968 and appealing for spectators to help mop up the pitch towards the end of a Test Match vs. Australia, [12:35-14:05] Curtis talks about what the announcers believed they should not do at Test Matches, [14:05-17:00] Curtis talks about the difficulty of identifying the players and how the problem has been resolved, [17:00-17:40] Curtis talks about Rex Alston not joining the team of announcers, [17:40-19:05] Curtis talks about the reduction in announcers having to speak during Test Matches and the problems of spectators running onto the pitch, [19:05-20:40] Dennis talks about spectators being prosecuted for going on the pitch and statements that he has to make according to International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations. [20:40-22:05] Dennis talks about demonstrations at Lord's by the Tamil Tigers, [22:05-22:50] Curtis talks about his enjoyment in explaining to the crowd that England have invited Australia to follow-on in 1968, [22:50-26:20] Curtis talks about his announcement to the crowd at Lord's that it was John Arlott's final commentary in 1980 and his memories of the Centenary Test between England and Australia, [26:20-27:00] Curtis talks about the streaker at Lord's described as 'the freaker' by Arlott, [27:00-29:40] Curtis talks about a bomb scare at Lord's (in 1973), [29:40-31:40] Curtis talks about the Centenary Test in 1980 as being his worst moment while working as an announcer. [31:40-34:30] Curtis talks about deciding to stop being an announcer at Lord's, [34:30-35:05] Dennis talks about himself and Curtis being a member of The Green Room Club, [35:05-41:05] Dennis talks about his early experiences of announcing at Lord's and the changes to the game during his time as announcer, explaining the basics of being an announcer and Curtis' influence, and being asked by Andy Flower to try and motivate the England team through his work. [41:05-42:10] Curtis talks about announcers in Australia playing Stephen Sondheim's 'Send in the Clowns' during an Ashes Test, [42:10-44:05] Curtis talks about cricket announcers at other cricket grounds and the relations between the announcers and England and Wales Cricket Board, [44:05-45:05] Dennis talks about announcing at Lord's Taverners matches, [45:05-47:40] Curtis talks about playing music over the public address system during rain delays, [47:40-49:15] Dennis talks about keeping in touch with the crowd during long delays and having to make announcements during the forfeited England vs. Pakistan Test Match at The Oval (in 2006), [49:15-52:55] Curtis and Dennis talk about what they most dread happening as an announcer including bomb scares and the mistakes Curtis made by announcing the wrong player, and being tricked into announcing fictional names over the public address system. [52:55-54:05] Dennis talks about David Lloyd passing on comical messages to the public address system, [54:05-55:05] Curtis talks about his favourite cricket grounds and working on the public address system overseas, [55:05-58:00] Curtis talks about the Australian team inscribing their names into stone on the balcony at Lord's in 1899, [58:00-60:31] Curtis talks about the possibility of playing music at Lord's and receiving letters from Colonel John Stephenson, MCC Secretary regarding criticism of his announcements. A back-up copy of this CD is included.

Open

English