George Sanford was born George Henry Bradbury in the city of
Liverpool to musician Robert Henry Bradbury and Susannah Bell in the predominantly
Irish Catholic neighbourhood of
Everton. His elder brother John "Cullen" Bradbury (1868—1929) gained fame as one half of the comedy double act
Cullen and Carthy. Their father's early death from
scarlet fever in 1870 left their mother widowed with two infant sons at the relatively young age of twenty-seven. Susannah remarried to Joseph Roper in 1872, giving birth to a further five children. Such was the popularity of the two brothers that upon their mother's death in 1908, various national newspapers published their condolences. George Lyons was born George William John Jennings in the
West Derby neighbourhood of Liverpool to James Jennings, a painter, and his wife Catherine. He was one of ten children. Aside from their success in the
music halls, the duo established themselves as popular performers in
pantomime throughout the United Kingdom. These appearances include
The Forty Thieves (Royalty Theatre Chester, 1898),
Babes In The Wood (St. James Theatre, Manchester 1899),
Cinderella (Grand Junction Theatre, Manchester 1901),
Aladdin (Theatre Royal, Bristol 1902),
Little Red Riding Hood (Theatre Royal, Bristol 1903),
Little Red Riding Hood (Grand Theatre, Brighton 1904),
The Sleeping Beauty (Princes Theatre, Manchester 1905),
Aladdin (Grand Theatre, Leeds 1906) and
Robinson Crusoe (Grand Theatre, Brighton 1909). Their seasons at Bristol's Theatre Royal (today the
Bristol Old Vic) were triumphs: the theatre reported record attendances. Such was the success of
Aladdin that the production was extended to March 14, 1903. At the conclusion of the season, the
Bristol Magpie reported the duo's popularity: "If you want to get even standing room you will have to go early to the Theatre Royal on Friday night. For on that night Sanford and Lyons take their benefit, and
Bristol is going to turn out in force to express their esteem and admiration for two of the hardest working and most genuinely funny comedians that have ever appeared on the boards of the old-made-new-house in King Street. The pair are not new to pantomime business, and as they write their own words and compose their own music, their turns are always new and original." From 1905 Sanford and Lyons began to appear to great success at the major music halls in
London. In April 1905 a reviewer from ''The London Entr'acte'' highlighted their performance: "A notable success is being made at the Oxford by Sanford and Lyons. They dress in black and white gloves and white spats over their boots. Their dancing, besides being extremely clever in itself, is most effectively presented. The lights are lowered, so that the eye is attracted only by their rhythmically moving hands and feet. They dance together in perfect time, and also essay — with complete acceptance — some amusing "crosstalk" business. They take several "calls" at the conclusion of their smart performance." In September 1908 Sanford and Lyons featured at the
Oxford Music Hall alongside
Marie Lloyd,
Little Tich and
Cinquevalli. Writing in
The Stage newspaper, one reporter observed "the excellence of these two young men... the freshness of their jokes, the skill of their dances... makes one forget that there are others of inferior degree." On 11 May 1909 the duo were selected to appear before the
Prince and Princess of Wales (later
King George V and
Queen Mary) at the
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane for a gala matinee performance to raise funds for the
Queen Alexandra Sanatorium. == Death and legacy ==