Showcall Showcase 2005 - Day One, Evening Session

Published Thursday 10 November 2005 at 15:05 by Peter Hepple

There is no doubt that this session began with the largest number of musicians ever presented in the history of both the Stardust and the Showcase, 22 of them, all backing Barry Whide and his tribute to the apostle of everlasting “lurve”, the great (in every sense of the word) and recently deceased Barry White.

Whether Whide can fulfil his ambition to actually tour with a band of this size, most of whom were attractive young female violinists, remains to be seen, but there is no doubt about its effectiveness, or the likeness of Whide’s voice to the original, and, for that matter, his shape. But here’s wishing him luck, for the music, and the presentation, are well worth experiencing.

That there are plenty of promising young vocalists about was well demonstrated throughout the showcase. And none is more likely to make the grade than Charlotte Hopley, who has the looks as well as the voice, though at 17 she is a little on the young side to sing This Is My Life, great though the song may be.

Paul Richie is another in the procession of Presley look and soundalikes. So many are there, in fact, that it is both difficult and pointless to pass judgment. Suffice it to say that this young man has what it takes to succeed in a field that appears to be limitless.

Something slightly out of the ordinary, though I have seen on cruise ships, is a James Bond tribute, or more correctly the songs from the movies, some of which have deservedly become standards. This was presented by Toni Warne, a singer who was a child prodigy a few years ago. Now a mature and experienced singer, she is wise and enterprising to package herself in this format, was supported by a boy and girl dancer on this occasion, though the show can be expanded into a full stage spectacle.

Then followed a surprise success, The Sooty Show, a demonstration that even agents and bookers have not always been hard-boiled. This regression to childhood innocence was both heartwarming, bringing memories of teatime by the fire rather than midnight in the bar, and proof that the little bear and his chums, first seen 50 years ago and now presumably of pensionable age, can still amuse, particularly when they are presented as well as this. The man in charge nowadays is Mike Newman Jnr, a chip off the old block whose dad is still performing, mainly on the cruise ships. Young Mike, however, is a prodigious all-round entertainer who seemingly does not mind being showered with water and covered in foam.

Accord is unusual these days in specialising in four-part harmony rather than working as a vocal-instrumental group. Refreshing and effective, the two boys and two girls, though modern in approach with a Bohemian Rhapsody closer, seem almost traditional by modern standards and would be great in a summer show, if there were such things. But there must be a place for acts like this.

After a brief appearance from the protean Dean Taylor, who has recently added Little Britain to his repertoire and was largely on meet and greet duty, came one of the most distinctive acts in the showcase, El Loco, a unique mime performer presenting The Dentist’s Chair. This involves not only the instrument of torture in question but a witty and and highly amusing soundtrack which must have taken months to produce. Plus, of course, a willing member of the audience. The result is a memorable show charged with humour and suspense, which in the old days would have warranted a season at the London Palladium followed by 16 weeks at Blackpool.

Foxy Angels UK, on the other hand, are very much of today, ably meeting a demand for a cheerful session of contemporary songs performed by two pretty girls to a backing track.

A seasoned band if ever there was one, it does not take much guessing as to what New Mud are about. The foot-stomping, waving your arms in the crowd, you’ve got it in one. It’s another in the trend towards niche nostalgia but is certainly very good of its kind and beyond criticism.

Want another trend? What about the tributes to artists who are still with us and still wildly popular but are seldom seen unless you feel like joining ten thousand others once a year in a field. Yes, I mean Robbie Williams, and if you can’t afford him we’ve got Gobbie, a well-staged show from young Jamie Reeves. Close your eyes, join in with Rock DJ, and you could be in Knebworth.

Step 3, however, a boy and two girls, are a straight down the middle act with some good songs, guaranteed to please wherever they go and, I would surmise, excellent value for money. Another trend, perhaps.

The best advice I can give to Sword and Stone, a brave couple of Geordie lads, is never perform in front of agents if you can help it. They expect the finished article and at the moment S and S are not quite it. They have some good ideas, however, and are probably effective as children’s entertainers, with a pantomime in the offing. And I liked the mini-Riverdancers.

Steve Kovarez is well-known in East Anglia and has a commendable assurance in presenting large-scale illusions with considerable panache. I believe he has the ability to match up to the masters, which probably means that we will not see a lot of him in this country. Fast, slick and immaculately staged.

Notepads out again for Jolene, despite the fact that she jumped on to the This is My Life bandwagon and is too youthful for it. Young she may be but she has a taste for old songs like Get Happy and I know her name was mentioned by several bookers.

One or two people asked me what I was going to write about The Lady-Boy Liberty Show. Well, one thing is that it is not much like The Lady Boys of Bangkok. It is in fact largely a solo show by a female impersonator, or drag queen as they like to be known these days. I suppose my questioners wondered whether I would mention the plastic genitalia featured in one number. To which I can only say - if you like that sort of thing you’ve got it here. Personally, I am long past the point of being embarassed by anything on stage. Better to concentrate on the well-known but still amusing expanding diva routine, to the music of Barcelona.

Last solo singer of the evening was the dynamic young Shane Perkins, who knows about light and shade and implanted the correct dramatic impetus into Bring Him Home.

The finale spot fell to Abba Now, one of the best acts in an increasingly crowded field, but still with a fresh idea or two and a vocal-instrumental blend which was wholly commendable.

BOOKER’S CHOICE

Noel Gee (Noel Gee Associates) - Jolene, El Loco

Johnny Stvan (Angle Entertainments) - Accord, El Loco