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Steve Dee Promotions Showcase 2006

Published Friday 13 January 2006 at 13:45 by Mike Martin

It appears that Steve Dee put a lot of thought into this showcase and the result was a particularly well balanced bill, full of welcome variety. All this in the rather clinical surroundings of a room which is not easy to work, amidst lighting which left a lot to be desired.

That said, a buzzing atmosphere was created right from the start as magician Alex Lodge worked his close-up skills around the tables. This young man knows how to connect with a crowd and his numerous, dexterous tricks were much appreciated.

Compering the evening and holding the whole thing together was Tim Ames. He has a bright, cheery approach, attacking the audience with tried and tested material. I felt his delivery was a tad nervous at first but he soon relaxed, involving the punters with participation routines and crooning popular numbers like Sweet Caroline with a pleasant, nasal voice.

The Stepping Out Dancers opened the show, a quartet of young girls who pranced through a raunchy routine with plenty of energy. They need to loosen up in a way which only experience can bring, although their next spot, opening the second half with a colourful, well presented can-can, was much better.

Gilt are a three-piece band who, like so many acts these days, rely heavily upon their backing tracks. This gave them technical problems in their opening moment, a glitch which could have been handled in a more professional manner. The girl singer performs well enough but the generally lacklustre presentation results in competent but un-exciting renditions of seventies songs.

It is always good to see a speciality act and multi-instrumentalist Andy Cross is of the old school in this capacity. His droll patter is spoken in a voice reminiscent of Ken Livingstone and the instruments he played were just a small sample of the many he covers in his full act. Here we had an international musical tour on such novelties as the ocarina, harmonica and garden hose as he got everyone clapping along. He sings too.

Next came the highlight of the evening, the Kitsch Kittens, a female duo who have obviously put a lot of work into an original act which focuses on fifties-style kitsch. As Barbie and Cindy, wriggling in their pink dresses, they spout slick comic patter in cod US accents in between strong vocals and well-rehearsed harmonies. Songs like Leader of the Pack are sold impressively well, along with a highly entertaining British sixties medley. Refreshingly different.

Standing in for one act whose absence was due to a car breakdown was Steve Dee’s assistant Kim Lee Jones, a little lady with a big voice and charismatic personality. She did an excellent job, at short notice, of closing the first half with a polished and controlled performance of two challenging songs.

Celtic Storm, a boy/girl magic act provide traditional cabinet illusions with manic Lee Evans-style delivery. Lots of movement and costume changes maintain interest. Not much originality but I would always encourage the survival of classic routines, especially when they are kept alive with skill and a modern slant, plus Irish step dancing to boot.

Jim Darch is clearly an experienced comic who has done the rounds. His ‘Jack the Lad’ approach with observational material has some clever lines which I had not heard before. Not really for me but no doubt a most workable turn.

A four-piece boy band, Fourgone Conclusion, took to the stage with fine harmonies. They swap cheerful banter between songs but there is not much co-ordination in their movements. A little work on underlining their distinctive personalities would improve things although Tracks of My Tears worked notably well.

More comedy which works to the gallery came from Jenny Robins, although my initial thoughts were, what’s with the hat and Frank Spencer voice? She shows considerable talent but not always good judgment, particularly in the laboured PMT routine and Bjork parody. However, I got the impression that she would shrug off such criticism. She finished with a straight version of Tomorrow, proving that she is quite a singer.

Alex Lodge, the magician who did meet and greet earlier, performed his own cabaret spot - briefly interrupted by a fire alarm - and he was able to showcase his ability to present stylish trickery. Standard stuff, involving doves, canes, etc, but, despite his youth, he showed a natural mastery of the art.

Closing the show was vocalist Mitchell Armstrong. A big, operatic voice runs the gamut of singing styles from the operatic Nessum Dorma to Tom Jones, all of it presented in a rousing fashion, laced with a liberal sense of fun. An asset to virtually any bill.

An agent who undoubtedly cares about the business, Steve Dee has his finger firmly on the pulse of bookers’ requirements.

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