FLAIR ENTERTAINMENTS SHOWCASE 2024
SMILE BAR HUDDERSFIELD
SEPTEMBER 2024
PRODUCER: Rachel Hainsworth & Adam Parker Brown
REVIEWER: Mark Ritchie
It turned out to be an evening to be proud of for agent Rachel Hainsworth, as Flair Entertainments paraded their wares at an event staged within a highly unusual venue. The Smile Bar in Huddersfield is a venue, I would imagine much favoured by the adjacent university campus, complete with unisex toilets a cashless bar and portable bench seating, which provided a rather ungainly and uncomfortable perch for those of us with dodgy hips and knackered knees. My hand was even stamped with a Smile Bar ink symbol on entry, which brought back memories of over half a century ago and the school disco.
Adam Parker Brown was on hand with the introductions and a well-turned song, before things kicked off in earnest with a two-girl act called Diva’s 2. Kelly and Keira are their names and there was plenty to enjoy musically and visually from two ladies who had the look of actors performing cabaret and were almost certainly quite new to the scene.
Alex James Slater is a young Lancastrian who looks ultra-slick and confident, as well as possessing a divinely relaxed and tunefully pitched singing voice, which lends itself to many different styles. This was a genuine delight of a spot from this young singer from Bury.
Solo singer Bonnie performed her spot complete with her own band, Artpop- Bonnie as Gaga show. Looking sassy and offbeat, just as is the image projected by her chosen tribute subject, Bonnie sings with gusto and conviction and certainly looks the part. It was also interesting to spot musician Mike Watson playing in Bonnie’s band.
Singer comedian, impressionist and part-time ‘Agadooer’ Craig Harper is now appearing on occasion in the infamous hit party band Black Lace. Here he was giving us all a wee bit of his highly entertaining cabaret act.
Duo Du Luxe is a two-girl jazz standards and harmony duo who, as far as I am aware, have nothing whatsoever to do with the manufacture of paint. Alice and Tamara are the names here and as was the case with the earlier two-girl act, these immaculately turned-out singers have the look of actors or ensemble singers who have branched out into cabaret.
The Trilogies took the eye and the collective ear of the crowd, as they sang and danced their way through a cleverly segued set of party pleasing- male harmony vocal style songs. This three-boy act do not appear to take themselves seriously and they have a humorous edge to their polished performance. In short, a real winner!
Beyonce by Lauren Gee dresses the part of the superstar singer and sings superbly. Complete with her two dancers, Ms Gee should find her place in the tribute market relatively easily.
Emily Snooks is a stand-out vocalist who looks like a natural and instinctive performer. Miss Snooks will probably be comfortable delivering just about any genre of music. Ms Snooks displays a certain panache, which creates great stage presence.
Carrie Michaels is a solo singer who knows her business and is always immaculately turned out. At this showcase evening, Ms Michaels was appearing complete with a divine feathered showgirl stage gown, bedecked with a flowing head dress. Carrie as Kylie is amongst several guises this artiste can turn her attentions to.
The Zoomies is a terrific idea in the shape of a skin-character music and dance show, for children of all ages to enjoy. Putting it all in a nutshell, here we have a show, catching the little eyes and ears of pre-school children and the very young. A recent Zoomies tour has established the growing reputation of an act which boasts original music and dance routines which were all devised written and choreographed by Flair Entertainments.
Tony Lee is a solo singer and musician who has come up with a one-man ska tribute show, Bad Ska Madness. One man and one superbly played saxophone, Mr Lee opened with the iconic Night Boat To Cairo, before a bit of Bad Manners and their Special Brew. In my view, a one-man show as well-produced and performed as well as this one simply cannot fail!
Closing things out in great style was the reappearance of singer Adam Parker Brown, with his Sir Tom & The TJ Big Band. This is a great tribute to the great Sir Tom Jones of course and there is plenty here to suggest that high-end tribute work and another theatre tour will not be far away.
Hats off to Rachel Hainsworth for a great showcase night. Admittedly it will take me a while to overcome the effects of the bench seating and the subsequent indentations in my bum, but hey-ho! At least attending this event distracted me and dissuaded me from travelling over to a certain cup football match in Manchester, where my team were just narrowly defeated seven-nil. O Well!
