This month we feature a few more bite-sized chunks of news and information from the great field of variety entertainment, compiled by Mark Ritchie.
CHANGES IN SCARBOROUGH
We recently heard details of terribly disappointing news from the Yorkshire resort of Scarborough. For the first time in living memory, there will be no summer season variety show at The Spa Theatre. Scarborough based producer Tony Peers has been the main driving force behind the show in years past, but it seems as though it is not all bad news for Tony. Times change trends change and the most enterprising people in show business simply evolve and adapt. Outdoor shows staged at Peasholm Park in Scarborough and produced by Tony Peers Ltd have already proved massively popular. The natural seated amphitheatre provided by the terraced seating in this lovely park location have catered for generations of holiday makers. Whether it is the sight of a motor boat taking its musician passengers heading out to a stage type Island in the lake at Peasholm, which houses bands and organists throughout the season, or the famous Peasholm Park war battle reenactments, the people flock year on year. This is a lovely location. Quite close to the town’s huge open-air theatre, Peasholm Park is welcoming audiences enjoying variety style and children’s speciality entertainment, come rain or shine.
CROMER PIER SHOW LAUNCHED
The famous summer variety show staged on the iconic Cromer Pier in Norfolk is off and running again. The framework of the show features guest comedians such as Danny Lee Grew and Herbie Adams coming in at various intervals, with the full all-singing all dancing cast built around them. This show has now opened and sheer word of month amongst regular visitors and holiday-makers in the resort swells the audience sizes year on year. Kthe show is produced by Open Wide Coastal.
BLACKPOOL PIER FUN
Comedy rules on Blackpool’s oldest and most ornate pier this year, with visits from Crissy Rock Roy Chubby Brown and Stan Boardman all featuring The main show also features a Summer Circus in the main auditorium, which is now named The Joe Longthorne Theatre, as a tribute to the late great Blackpool star himself.
WHITBY PAVILION HIGHLIGHTS
The picture-postcard resort of Whitby, on the Yorkshire coast boasts its Pavilion Theatre and The Magic Mike summer show will be appearing on certain dates throughout the high summer. Magic Mike remains enduringly popular with his interactive show, which continues to entertain and thrill children of all ages! Other Whitby highlights in The Pavilion this year include of number of weekend shows, with rock and roll and soul themes.
BABBACOMBE ROLLS RIGHT ON
The long-established summer show staged at Babbacombe Theatre in Devon has already opened and new for ’24 is their show Fantazy, starring comedian Steve Laister. A huge cast of supporting acts, singers and dancers are all sure to hit the mark, as the production is presented by the hugely knowledgeable and talented Colin Matthews.
If you would like to contribute articles for this feature on a freelance basis, please pitch your ideas/suggestions to mark.ritchie@ukcabaret.com