The Stage

Showcall Showcase II - Day Two, Evening Session

Published Friday 14 January 2005 at 17:10 by Mark Ritchie

Day Two - Evening Session

Compere Tufty Gordon and the band soon succeeded in setting the mood in song for the assembled throng. Also setting the scene in the foyer were meet and greet artists Keith Christie and Baron Von Grindle, the former bamboozling those present with his walkabout magic show while the latter terrified the unwary with his vamping.

Dance troupe Sophistication opened with some pretty high high-kicking. The can-can was set to such a thumping sound track and a bit of Lady Marmalade provided another opportunity for this all-female troupe to strut their feather boa-adorned stuff. The troupe were presenting a segment from their Moulin Rouge show and there simply has to be plenty of interest for those looking for a superior outfit like this.

Tom Armstrong gave us his best shot as Neil Diamond. On the basis of his vocal impression this entertainer was rather good. Smart, professional and armed with a bright and engaging personality, Armstrong has bags of bottle and conviction.

Teenage vocalist Bleu-Louise is a real showgirl and clearly revels in delivering great songs from the shows. This outstanding young performer has the look of a real star in the making and, although its still very early to tell just how far she can go, her version of Celine Dion’s Just Walk Away certainly raised hairs on the neck.

The man behind The Big Yin Revisited is certainly the most committed and accurate comedy tribute impressionist I have ever seen. Billy Connolly has to be one of the greatest stand-up comedians on the planet and recreating the style and substance of the Scot is a brave feat indeed. But the Showcall faithful audience howled with laughter and the interest generated by The Big Yin Revisited was sure to considerable.

Vickee Lester gave us a superbly sung version of Stephen Sondheim’s Not While I’m Around and soon had the one or two of the Showcall denizens swaying to the strains of Que Sera Sera. Lester is clearly a musicals fan and her expressive features and good use of the stage suggested a commanding cabaret presence.

The quality and good humour of the evening continued with an appearance from the legendary ‘musicologist’ Billy Bedlam. Euphoniums and trombones were a piece of cake to play, at least compared to the pipe of a kitchen sink, which this particular silly Billy got a tune out of. Speciality acts like this one are always a real treat and Bedlam’s appearance will have reminded everyone just what he is all about.

The second musical tribute of the night was paid to Freddie Mercury by a solo tribute act called Pure Magic. This is an excellent vocal impression and he should fill his diary with work from those who don’t have the budget for a full Queen tribute band.

Glamorous and well presented two-girl duo Crackin’ came next. A version of I’ll Go Where Your Music Takes Me and a convincing rendition of Labi Siffre’s (Something Inside) So Strong, during which some assured vocal harmonies were evident, were performed by two ladies who lived up their name with some great stagewear.

Trendy looking singer Kirk Jameson has the look of a performing arts student who’s recently strayed into cabaret. Suitable sincerity was paid during a superbly sung version of Whistle Down the Wind, while versions of My Girl and Lady Is a Tramp made up the rest of an enjoyable and assured set from a young man who must have convinced many bookers of his only too obvious potential.

Immaculately turned out vocalist Marianne Graham kept up the high standard of the evening with a confident set that contained happy songs like I Only Wanna Be With You, before vamping it up with a version of Nobody Does It Like Me. An undemanding and pleasant approach from a highly workable solo female performer.

Every single aspect of the superb performance of Vancoover impressed. Lots of ability from a truly different and eye-catching boy/girl act, who should work and work on this showing. A Lord Of the Dance item was a real highlight and showed depth of talent and versatility.

The Mist illusion show, featuring Sean Alexander, has been the top of the speciality act tree for the last couple of years. Along with his pliable partner Vanessa, Alexander recreated Houdini’s substitution trunk illusion. Good speciality acts still work like mad these days and Mist should have reinforced their growing reputation.

Back to the tributes and next up was Kylie UK. There were many image problems to address. It is an area that is integral when attempting to achieve lookalike status in this crowded area and Kylie UK fell well short in this department

It hard to make predictions in this most unpredictable business but given the popularity of sexy young swing singers, you could speculate that Yorkshire teenager Grant Peters has every chance of making it big. Accompanied by a full brass section and the Showcall orchestra, Peters simply oozes class with some great keyboard work and an indescribably silky vocal quality. That could just make stardom a realistic aim for this amazing 17-year-old.

Three scantily clad air hostesses entered next singing a version of Britney Spears’ Toxic, before we met two more girls performing impressions of Whitney Houston and Shania Twain. It soon became apparent that we were being entertained by energetic four-piece female troupe Girls Only. Well costumed and highly relevant to the needs of several areas within the market place this act, performing at breakneck speed, should benefit greatly from their first Showcall airing.

Bringing this event to a close was an outstanding live tribute band called Money For Nothing. Opening with the song that gave them their name, this five-piece outfit is one the UK’s most popular live tribute bands. Money For Nothing delivered a set that gave the bookers exactly what they were looking for with qualities of live musicianship of genuine talent that ensures our industry’s survival in the 21st century.

Mark Ritchie

EXPERT CHOICE

Noel Gee (Noel Gee Associated Ltd) chose Tom Armstrong and Grant Peters

Simon Quarmby (Angle Entertainments) chose Grant Peters and The Big Yin Revisited

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