UK VARIETY
This month we feature a few pieces of news and information on the nationwide variety scene, compiled by Mark Ritchie.

FUNNYGIRLS FUN
An iconic and fun-filled venue in Blackpool has just experienced a landmark anniversary and marked it by staging a show style party, which was attended by friends and admirers of the venue founder, Blackpool businessman Basil Newby. The Funnygirls drag artiste performers have now been operating in Blackpool for three decades and their success and longevity looks likely to run and run. The venue is a former cinema and its shows, featuring celebrity drag queens and others, are internationally renowned.

TEN YEARS IN DONNY
Show Producer and singer Robert Craig has marked the 10th anniversary of afternoon matinee shows in Doncaster with a concert featuring some of the stars who have supported the event since its beginnings. The venue is Doncaster Little Theatre and amongst the entertainers who entertained a sellout audience were Instrumentalist Roy O Brien, singer Danny Andrews and guitar entertainer Colin Powell.

FOOTBALL GLORY
England’s recent success in reaching the final at the European Football Championship has revealed that star striker Olie Watkins, who scored the winning goal in the semi-final win over The Netherlands, is the son of a singing star. Devon based cabaret singer Ruby Washington is Ollie’s talented mum and the lovely Ruby is apparently a very proud mum.

TOTALLY BUSY
The celebrated show producer and tribute artiste Justine Riddoch is taking her Totally Tina tribute show, which comes complete with dancers and a great live band, all around the coastal resorts ok the UK through the remainder of the summer. Totally Tina is soon to entertain the holiday-makers in Great Yarmouth, Whitley Bay, Weymouth and a bit nearer her Merseyside home, the Blackpool on September 1st when all the Tina Turner fans will be heading for the famous Blackpool Winter Gardens Opera House on Sunday September 1st.

ROYALTY ON THE PIER
The tribute production show, Kings and Queens is entertaining the holiday-makers again this summer on Blackpool’s famous Central Pier. In years gone by The Central Pier theatre existed, but the venue is long gone and has been replaced by a family show-bar in which shows featuring multiple tribute acts appear throughout the season.

If you would like to contribute articles for this feature on a freelance basis, please pitch your ideas/suggestions to mark.ritchie@ukcabaret.com