UK CABARET SPECIAL REPORT
When we chat to professional and even semi-pro entertainers these days, many are sure to reveal that their most stressful days or evenings are spent ‘showcasing’. The national trade showcase scene is servicing a need and UK Cabaret covers two of the three national trade events in review form.
On the subject of, when and how acts are booked from showcases, I am afraid I do not always understand why certain acts are booked so heavily, while others are not so in-demand. In the past I have been a company booker and I know from experience that bookers stand or fall by their decisions. Aside from review work for the 16-years before 2014, which I was tasked with for The Stage newspaper and since then for UK Cabaret magazine, I have also produced showcases and acted as Compere.
The question I am often asked is how can live acts and entertainers give themselves the best possible chance to shine, when paying out hard-earned cash to appear in front of huge gatherings of key bookers? Below are a few bullet-points or tips:
Successful acts will turn up on time and make sure they have adhered to the right technical instructions regarding equipment and the formatting of backing tracks.
Bookers tell me that so many acts seem unprepared in terms of keeping up with standards and innovations in stage equipment. Another major bug-bear for bookers is an apparent disregard for decent standards of stage wear. For example, the most successful artistes within the tribute market dress the part, with standards close to their respective tribute subjects. To be frank, I have even seen and winced as I have watched performers on showcase stages with dirty shoes and crumpled clothing.
Further information from bookers indicates that acts engaged in loud and often animated conversations during the performances of fellow artistes who are trying to be seen and heard, is another major annoyance. Although again being completely frank, some bookers do not set the best of examples themselves.
One major cruise ship booker told me once that an artiste he was considering booking was cancelled before they started, due to their general lack of manners and etiquette while in the showcase audience.
Finally, some entertainers do not often maintain common courtesy and professionalism when dealing with stage crew. After all, they are working too and doing their best within what is often a maelstrom of backstage activity.
One thing for certain is that event organisers at Showcase Productions, Curtains Up Showcase and the Keeping It Live showcase are all doing what they think is best for the acts buying slots and making their respective showcase pitches. Their involvement in national ‘shop-window’ style events should be supported.