Gus Elen

He achieved success from 1891, performing cockney songs including "Arf a Pint of Ale", "It's a Great Big Shame", "Down the Road" and "If It Wasn't for the 'Ouses in Between" in a career lasting over thirty years.

His solo success began in 1891 when he started performing in public houses, singing songs in a manner similar to many cockney fruit sellers of the time, known as costermongers - from the old word 'costard', meaning apple.

For the stage persona he had created, Elen dressed in a coster uniform of striped jersey, peaked cap turned towards one ear and a short clay pipe in the side of his mouth.

[1] Elen started his career as a solo performer and briefly worked at the Old Marylebone Theatre in a 'blackface' comedy double act with a man named Daniels, who died in a boating accident a few years after the partnership was formed.

In those days I often filled in a season on the 'waxeys' (on the seaside) at Margate and Ramsgate in a Negro minstrel troupe.Elen's songs were often compared to those of Albert Chevalier, a contemporary to Elen and a major performer on the halls.

Commenting on the overcrowded poor parts of London, in one of his songs, he takes on the persona of a proud tenant boasting about the dismal place he lives in, and in particular the view from his 'garden': Wiv a ladder and some glassesYou could see to 'Ackney marshesIf it wasn't for the 'ouses in betweenThe lyrics to "If It Wasn't for the 'Ouses In Between" were written by Edgar Bateman, who later wrote two more of Elen's songs: "She's Too Good to Live Is Mrs. Carter" and "The Postman's 'Oliday."

Chance Newton, a friend of Elen, spoke of his habit of leaving scores he was working on at the various pubs he visited en route to the particular hall he was travelling to.

[5] He accepted the offer and appeared on the same bill as Harry Lauder and Will Evans[5] at The New York Theatre where he performed his repertoire of cockney songs to the delight of American audiences.

[6] The New York Times described his act as being "...strange, raucous, quavering voice with its queer breaks into the treble, the shambling gait and the sudden jerky gestures of a coster, with all the little mannerisms that serve to make him what he is".

[2] The box-office sales indicated that Chevalier, who was also appearing in America, was more popular with American audiences than Elen and so he returned to the UK and performed for a further seven years as a top attraction in music halls across London, before his retirement.

[2] Elen died of liver cancer[1] at his home in Balham, South London, on 17 February 1940, aged 77[2] and is buried in Streatham Park Cemetery.

[7] There is a blue plaque at his former home, 3 Thurleigh Avenue, Balham, which was erected on 6 October 1979 by Greater London Council at the request of the British Music Hall Society whose then President Don Ross unveiled it.