The show was first broadcast on the BBC on June 14, 1958. It began as a one-off special featuring the male Mitchell Minstrels (after George Mitchell, the manager) and the female Television Toppers dancers in 1957. It was popular and soon developed into a regular 45 minute show on Saturday evenings, featuring both solo and minstrel pieces (often with extended segueing) as well as "comedy interludes". It was produced by George Inns with George Mitchell was musical director.
Audiences regularly exceeded 16 million. The Mitchell Minstrels also had a stage show which ran for 6,477 performances from 1960-1972. The show won a Golden Rose at Montreux in 1961 for best light entertainment programme and the first three albums of songs (1960-1962) all did extremely well.
While the show was being made in (genuine) black-and-white, the 'blackface' was actually red make-up shot through filters, so appearing solid black. The show moved to colour in 1967.
Query: BBC Two started colour in 1967 but BBC ONE didn't get it until 1969,and I always thought the B&WMS was only on BBC ONE. If so the above date should read 1969. Confirmation would be appreciated.
The show was attacked as racist, a "cultural obscenity", from the early 1960s. Under increasing pressure the show tried a 'whiteface' variant in the 1970s. Towards the end of the run the black British comedian Lenny Henry, just starting his career, appeared in the stand-up comedy slots. The last show was on July 1, 1978. Its cancelling was part of a wider reduction in variety programming on British television.