One of the toughest jobs in the world – up there with Bomb Disposal Expert – must be stand up comedian. Totally vulnerable and nowhere to hide. I am in awe of the very best in the business (Stewart Lee, Tom Binns, Simon Munnery, Paul Foot – to name only a handful) and in particular how they handle the hecklers during their routines. It’s a rare event when the heckler actually wins the day with an even wittier riposte than the inevitable put down from the comic. But back in the 1970s I experienced one such moment. First, let’s set the scene…
Frank (Heppy) Hepworth was a legend in the town of Wakefield. A real showman who progressed from merchant navy cook to owning a fish and chip shop i
n the city centre complete with a licensed night club at the rear, oddly called ‘Heppy’s Fish ‘Ole’. Wednesday nights were special because in addition to Heppy fronting his skiffle band – The Dreaded Kalahari Bushmen – he would introduce a host of local strippers for the entertainment of all. Inevitably this weekly event became known as ‘Fish and Strips’ night.
One such evening, a group of pals and I made the short trip from Leeds down the M1 arriving at Heppy’s just about 8pm. We bought our fish and chip supper, wandered nonchalantly through the entrance to the club (I remember the beaded curtain similar to the ones you used to find in a butcher’s shop), sat down with copious pints of 
Tetley’s bitter and waited for the show to start. Heppy was on good form that night: cheeky but funny; respectful of the performers and taking no nonsense from the audience of (mainly) young men.
The first ‘artiste’ was introduced in true Heppy fashion: “Reet then put your hands together for this grand young lady ‘Star’ from Halifax, no that’s her real name! And mek sure you give her plenty of room – she’s a big lass”. More of the same followed then after half an hour or so, Heppy began to relate a long shaggy dog story which he thought was hilarious but didn’t seem to be going anywhere with the audience. Cue the bored heckler from the back of the room: “Get on with it owd lad, we haven’t got all night” to which Heppy retorted, quick as a Boycott delivery, “Does your mother know you’re out this late?” Without so much as missing a heartbeat came the reply: “She ought to, she’s on next!” Priceless!
Obituary from the Wakefield Express 9 February 2001
RENOWNED Wakefield entertainer and nightclub owner Frank Heppy Hepworth died this week after a long illness.
His many fans and friends will miss the madcap anecdotes and exploits of this colourful character whose nightclub Heppy’s was one of the hottest spots in town in the late 70s and early 80s. Author Kirkham Gates helped keep alive the memory of the king of live entertainment in his biographical book Fish and Strips, named in honour of the famous Wednesday nights at Heppy’s.
Mr Gates said: People often say you can’t burn the candle at both ends – well Heppy cut the proverbial candle in two and burnt four ends during his life of wine, women and song. He had something very few people are blessed with – the ability to hold an audience in the palm of his hand.
Dennis Preston
Dennis Preston's Blog 