UK CABARET SPECIAL REPORT
In this month’s report we examine and highlight what promises to be a flagship event for The Entertainment Agent’s association. The first ever Business awards presentations is scheduled to be staged at The Athena Centre in Leicester early next year. UK Cabaret/UK-Live managing editor Mark Ritchie looks at the details.

At UK Cabaret/UK-Live we were beaten to the punch recently. Our plans were beginning to unfold in-regard to the production and staging of a National Light Entertainments/ Business Awards event. Looking back fourteen years or so, I recall suggesting the staging of a similar event such as this to my former employers at The Stage newspaper, but the idea was rejected at that time.
Last month we learned that Paul Winteridge and our friends and sponsors at The Entertainment Agents Association had plans which were already by then at an advanced stage. Now the first ever TEAA Business Awards has been formally announced.
This will be a ticketed affair at which attendees will enjoy dinner and drinks, as well as the promise of some great live stage entertainment on the night. Hopefully this publication will be represented in Leicester and we will then be able to report on these swish proceedings.
The awards will be targeted at members of The Entertainment Agent’s Association, with a variety of categories throwing a spotlight on business excellence on the well-appointed stage of The Athena Centre. I visited the venue recently for The Pure Entertainment showcase and despite the frankly puzzling street layout in Leicester city centre, I managed to find a large multi-story car park very close by. The staff of this privately owned function and entertainment venue seem friendly and switched on, which is always important to corporate function organisers.
Just across the road from The Athena Centre is a well-known theatre venue and nearby on adjacent streets this is a good selection of restaurants. The actual function room has a split-level layout, which lends itself well to stage production.
Tickets for the Entertainment Agent’s Association Business Awards Event is sure to sell out quickly and the categories will be announced by the association well in advance of the exact date, which is Tuesday March 25th.