London: Please Hold

London: Please Hold

By Saul HenryComedyHealth & FitnessMental HealthHistory
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London: Please Hold episodes

  • 6. Phit-Eesi Like Sunday Morning: Abbotts Phit-Eesi to Abercrombie Misses

    In his sixth instalment, Saul continues his meticulous, deadpan journey through the vintage 1939 London telephone directory; beginning with an extensive list of branches of the historic footwear retailer Abbott's Phit-Eesi Ltd. 

    Join Saul as he recites details of the forgotten residents, obscure companies, and prestigious pre-war addresses of the aristocracy, clergy and everyday folks that once populated the capital. From the bustling storefronts of central London to the quiet suburban avenues of the 1930s, this episode offers another verbatim glimpse into the past.

    A soothing, rhythmic recitation of history, one telephone exchange at a time.

    Episode Highlights:

    • Abbott's Phit-Eesi Ltd.: Tracing the many branches of the once prominent shoe retailer across the city.

    • The Abs and Aber nots: A comprehensive, verbatim listing of London's Abercrombies, Abercorns and Abingdons.

    • Zero Distractions: Unadulterated directory reading to help you unwind, zone out or simply step back in time.

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      34 min
    • 5. An Assembly of Abbotts: Abbott George S Ltd to Abbotts Mrs F

      Episode 5 picks up exactly where the alphabet left us in the 1939 London telephone directory. Settle in for another instalment of vintage phone numbers, addresses and soft narration.

      There ought to be a collective noun for a group of Abbots, a conclave would be the obvious choice... but I do prefer the alliteration of An Assembly of Abbots. Or in this instance Abbotts with a double B AND a double T!

       

       

      29 min
    • 4. Abbitt & Abbott; sounding like a classic comedy duo that never was

      In this fourth instalment of London: Please Hold, comedian Saul Henry continues his hypnotic, line-by-line reading of the August 1939 London Telephone Directory. Picking up exactly where we left off—climbing out from the bottom of the Abbisses—we wade deeper into the 'Ab's, making our way steadily (but very slowly) toward the 'Ac's.

      Along the way, we uncover a strangely soothing litany of pre-war businesses, military personnel, hotels and everyday households going about their lives just months before the outbreak of WWII.

       

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      instagram.com/londonpleasehold 

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      Drop us a line [email protected]

      31 min
    • 2. Speaking! A H Gowns to Aarvold CD Barrister

      We return to the streets of pre-war London with another dive into the 1939 telephone directory. In this episode, we navigate more 'A' names uncovering a cross-section of capital life just months before the outbreak of the WWII.

      Follow us on on Instagram

      instagram.com/londonpleasehold 

      instagram.com/saulhenry101

      Drop us a line [email protected]

       

      29 min
    • 1. Ahoy-Hoy! A1 Abbott to A&H Dining Sets

      Apparently, reading the phone book is the ultimate test of endurance. I'm trying to bring it to life as something closer to an art form.

      In this inaugural episode, we begin our journey through the August 1939 London Telephone Directory (Letters A-K). Expect names, titles, vintage exchange names, incredibly short numbers, and the strangely captivating rhythm of a bygone metropolis.

      Follow us on on Instagram

      instagram.com/londonpleasehold 

      instagram.com/saulhenry101

      Drop us a line [email protected]

      28 min

    About London: Please Hold

    From the publisher's feed

    You know the old compliment, "I’d listen to him read the telephone book aloud"? Comedy performer Saul Henry is taking it very literally.