Author Archives: Mark Ritchie
Mainstream Entertainments Showcase 2015
Mainstream Entertainments Showcase 2015 Hen Lane club Coventry February 11th Producers Barry Herbert, Gary Smith& Glen Brazil Reviewer Mark Ritchie A comfortable and well-appointed Coventry social club provided the setting for this well-staged event. Compere Lee Lard was soon on stage with the quips and the comedy, in the form of an early evening welcome. … Continue reading
Mark my words
Mark my words Mark My Words….Lines from UK Cabaret managing editor Mark Ritchie. In our fabulous February edition we have a number of reviews and the odd bit of news from the holiday Island of Tenerife. I travelled out to my favourite entertainment Island destination on January 12th and returned on January 30th. Over 18 … Continue reading
UK Cabaret managing editor Mark Ritchie takes a trip to the Canary Island of Tenerife
UK Cabaret managing editor Mark Ritchie takes a trip to the Canary Island of Tenerife. So, who is who amongst the UK ex-pat entertainers and where are the good venues? I first visited the Island of Tenerife back in 1985 and have been paying regular visits ever since to what is ostensibly a Spanish Island … Continue reading
Paul Taylor – Freemasons
Paul Taylor – Freemasons Being a Freemason, I have naturally performed and quite a number of Masonic functions and have a reasonable insight into what is expected of an entertainer, singer, comedian, the code of conduct when dealing with a Masonic audience, where to advertise as an entertainer, and even how to become a Freemason. … Continue reading
Austin knight funnies
Austin knight funnies Barmy Albert and Non-Stick Nora were married for many years. Whenever there was a confrontation, yelling could be heard deep into the night. Albert would shout, “When I kick the bucket, I will dig my way up and out of the grave and come back and haunt you for the rest of … Continue reading
Roger remembers
Roger remembers Way back in 1969 somebody at The Stage Newspaper had a brainwave. There would be a Stage Awards Show featuring Club Acts of the Year with a final Gala Performance. People in various parts of clubland could submit names to a panel which would then choose acts for a local show, from which … Continue reading
Stars In Your Eyes – another viewpoint
Stars In Your Eyes – another viewpoint Back in the 90s, Stars In Their Eyes was an essential part of my pre-pub n club preparation routine. As much a part as that other popular show, Night Fever, but with ordinary folk rather than the glamour models and err, the failed glamour models. Stars In Their … Continue reading
Stars In Your Eyes – one viewpoint
Stars In Your Eyes – one viewpoint Les Dennis, Bonnie Langford, Jim Davidson and Marti Caine were all catapulted to stardom from such shows as Opportunity Knocks, New Faces and even Ted Rogers classic quiz show 321. These were the type of talent shows that gave the Working Mens Clubs variety performers a shot at … Continue reading
Jongleurs Comedy Christmas show – full review
Jongleurs Comedy Christmas show Jongleurs comedy club Leeds Reviewer Mark Ritchie Funny women surely don’t come much funnier than the charismatic Jo-Jo Smith. Her acid droplets of wit have been carefully cultivated during her time in the comedy clubs and Leeds Jongleurs was the place to catch her in full flow. A sort of comedy … Continue reading