The Grumbleweeds Laughter Show Thwaites Empire Theatre Blackburn October 27th 2016 Producer- Andrew Oldham& Robin Colville Cast includes: The Grumbleweeds, Zooka and Suzy Q, Lisa Kelsey & The Flip-Flop dancers Reviewer Mark Ritchie The first night for a two-hour touring show, which heralded the return of an act with a… Continue reading
Where Are They Now ? Retired UK Cabaret subscribers make up a very significant percentage of our magazine subscribers. In this new feature, Mark Ritchie takes a look at past careers and meets former show business favourites. This month’s subject is certainly not retired from show business or indeed performing…. Continue reading
November Gossip Gatherer We start in Yorkshire, where social networking King Ivor Hillman was absolutely chuffed to bits to read Mark Ritchie’s feature on the perils of Facebook last month. For whatever reason Ivor is not a UK Cabaret subscriber, but I hear that the delicious mini- sex bomb singer… Continue reading
Gig Guides have been around in magazine and local newspaper form for decades. Nowadays, social media and the internet generally has become the lynchpin presence in terms of venue, gig and act guides. Mark Ritchie takes a look at a brand- new, internet presence in the gig guide field. Not… Continue reading
Showcase Productions session six (Thursday evening) Viva, Blackpool. November 3rd 2016 Producers: Barrie and Vicci Lucas & Colin Jones Reviewer: Mark Ritchie In part two of the National Tribute Day part of this event, the bookers gathered for the final session of a massively successful event for Barrie and Vicci… Continue reading
Showcase Productions session four Reviewer: Mark Ritchie There was a bit of glamour and some real show business pizzazz with the opening attraction, A Broadway Spectacular. For those who have never experienced a real, live songs from the shows show, this is just the ticket. The pitch is very much… Continue reading
Showcase Productions session three Reviewer: Mark Ritchie A large Wednesday afternoon gathering was greeted by Compere Lee Lard, who was deputising for Ricky K, due to Ricky being a little under the weather. Lee is much loved by almost everyone and soon it was six-piece live band Bright Eyes who… Continue reading
Session two Showcase Productions showcase 2016 Reviewer Mark Ritchie After a successful afternoon opening session, it was time for a change of Compere and the force of nature that is Ricky K. Long one of my favourite ever UK comedy entertainers, Ricky was soon out and into his business of… Continue reading
Showcase Productions Showcase. Session one November 1,2&3 Viva, Blackpool Producers Barrie& Vicci Lucas, Colin Jones. Reviewer Mark Ritchie Here we were again, at what has now become a real flagship event for the UK light entertainment and cabaret fraternity. Barrie Lucas has succeeded in moving into the territory, in my… Continue reading
ROGER REMEMBERS- Back in the 1950s, when I was a young feller me lad, I used to go on holiday with a great friend. We only knew the general direction we wanted to go in, but we set off in his llittle Standard 8 and took pot luck. In the… Continue reading
