Absent from the Showcall Showcase this year, compere Tufty Gordon was on duty at Tony West’s flagship event, where he was soon breaking out into a bit of Jungle Book-style clarinet as he welcomed one and all in his own inimitable style.
The Johnny Baugh Sound provided musical accompaniment for most of the acts, but it was self-contained live outfit the Toni James Band who got the ball rolling.
Here we have a weddings and functions-style four-piece with an eye-catching and professional female singer out front. Well travelled and very busy apparently, James and her excellent musical co-conspirators presenting a very convincing and enjoyable opening set.
Yvonne Patterson is a sort of singing actress, whose performance indicated that she is used to working with a band. I wasn’t totally convinced with her ability as a fully-rounded solo act, but she has considerable vocal ability.
Roberts and Ashcroft are an attractively presented female duo, although their stage name possibly suggests a firm of builders’ merchants.
Comedy patter, song and live instruments were all to be enjoyed within the framework of their highly polished and extremely appealing showcase set. It would have been nice to see them use the band though, given the amount of cruise ship bookers in the audience.
The Stunners dance troupe came next and their costumed and choreographed appearance was marred somewhat by lack of space. The problem could have been alleviated by more backstage staff to remove an obtrusively placed monitor and some additional lighting.
The lighting plot looked a little thrown together, with additional lighting augmenting some pretty basic facilities at the venue.
The entire evening was all a bit of a muddle in the presentation department to be honest, with one busy bloke proving that, however hard he tried, he just couldn’t be everywhere.
“Do you know what’s coming?” asked stand-up comedian Bernie Bourne before many of his gags.
Oddly enough, Bourne chose to throw in two complete songs during what was meant to be a comedy spot. Well, that the audience probably did know what was coming next, which is usually a bit of a minus point in the world of stand-up comedy.
Sharing the compere responsibility with Tufty Gordon was comedian Don Reid.
Here we have the kind of accomplished golf club/cruise ship comedian who knows his business and can be hugely effective and extremely funny in front of the right audience. In short, a pro’s pro.
Superb singer and flautist Lisa Martin really is a bit of a gem. Currently trawling the showcase scene, this fresh and attractively presented entertainer has to be in the premier league of solo female cruise ship-type cabaret acts.
I have seen and enjoyed magic and comedy entertainer Ian Keable before. Imagine a witty and urbane conjuring bank manager and there you have it. Keable is refreshing different as he doesn’t look anything like you may imagine a comedy magic patter man would look, which is surely a major part of his appeal. Sophisticated cabaret is the niche for Keable and his quick-witted talents.
Singer and comedienne Sue Denning is a massive favourite of mine and always has been. “I’m dressed like a pregnant banana!” exclaimed Denning as she set about her task and some great comedy moments followed.
Denning is equally adept at injecting genuine pathos and conviction into her vocal performance, as she paid homage to Judy Garland with a stunning rendition of Quiet Please - There’s a Lady On the Stage. In my book, Sue Denning is the ultimate female all-round entertainer.
Tony Parx put me in mind of what David Beckham would look like if he turned his hand to conjuring. Card manipulations, deflections and silks here from a traditional magician with a modern image.
It’s a clash of styles here certainly, but perhaps a bit of younger blood in this field is just what we all need.
I didn’t quite buy what vocal impressionist Spencer Robson was selling. The rather odd vocal delivery reminded me of an early Joe Longthorne, back in the days before this all-time showbusiness great learned the value of microphone technique.
I suspect that this is who Robson is modelling himself on. Some of the impressions were spot-on, but I would suggest that a more rounded mode of delivery needs to be found.
Accomplished gag-man Tom Bright combined fresh and extremely quick material with a cruise ship-style of inoffensive comedy delivery.
Bright is just the type of comedy heavyweight to deal with most situations. On the night in Birmingham, he showed with startlingly funny clarity exactly why he just has to be one of the most enduringly reliable funny-men within the UK comedy market today.
Alex Lodge is one of the very welcome new magic and illusion entertainers which have emerged in recent years. Along with assistant Hayley Jay, Lodge is one of the most complete young speciality magic entertainers I have seen in recent years. A variation on a Robert Harbin-style ‘saw the lady in half’ routine completed this impressive showcase outing.
Easy listening swing singer Mike McArdle just didn’t do it for me, I’m afraid. The sort of handsome chap you may find on certain cruise lines certainly, but the rather growly and poorly pitched vocal technique didn’t lend itself to the music in my view.
Scottish chanteuse-style singer Dianne Barry gave a very polished vocal performance and her style and technique indicate cruise work in abundance. However - and it is difficult to broach this subject with any degree of delicacy - certain aspects of her stage attire need urgent attention. I’m certain that someone present will also have noticed what I am trying hard not to refer to here in any great detail!
Steve Hewlett is currently one of my favourite British ventriloquist acts. Hewlett is an innovator, but he has clearly been influenced by some of the more recent American exponents of the art. Memories of the great ventriloquists of the past, such as Dennis Spicer and Shari Lewis, indicate that young Hewlett is a student of his craft. He is also very funny and effective in the right venue.
The Abba Girls are long-established members of the tribute fraternity, who fill the gap which exists in the market for those looking for an Abba night, but do not have either the space or the budget for a full band. Good costumes here and these girls seem to know their business.
I didn’t know what to make of singer David Marshall. In one short spot, he gave us a bit of Meatloaf and some light opera, all of which was after an entrance in the old cape and mask routine, when he gave us ‘a bit of Phantom’.
Proving the old showbusiness adage that it’s not always the singer, it’s the songs that count, Marshall is proving popular in certain quarters. Perhaps I just couldn’t get a handle on exactly what an audience could expect from Marshall during a full cabaret set.
Closing the show was an appearance from what is surely the longest established sixties band with original members, Herman’s Hermits.
Lots of old hits from a band who enjoyed their first hit record 43 years ago.
Proving that talent is ageless, Herman’s Hermits prompted the frankly alarming spectacle of a reviewer from The Stage swaying around in his seat and clapping along to the music. The rest of the audience went a little further and gave the band a deserved standing ovation.
An after-show party saw entertainment in an adjacent room from harpist Gina Williams, who would grace any wedding or function.
A keyboard and drums duo called Event Horizon didn’t quite seem to get the idea of what type of music was required for people who were trying to chat with the mixing and mingling stars of the showcase and check them out in a social situation.
However, a quiet word from West soon rectified matters. At last, West’s hard-working team, headed by the ever-smiling and efficient Barbara Brown, could at last put their feet up and relax after their long showcase day at an event which is always a pleasure to attend.
Ivy Leaf Club, Birmingham, Producer: Tony West
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