Steve Dee Promotions

Published Thursday 24 March 2005 at 10:35 by Mark Ritchie

The eerie presence of Ben ‘The Living Statue’ Spruce was on hand to point this large and enthusiastic gathering in the direction of snug concert hall at Highcliffe.

The right kind of compere for a showcase event is crucial to its success. Suffice to say, Alan Sellers was a great choice. The best comperes are there to help the acts sell themselves and, as Sellers has authority and presence, spins a yarn and sings pleasantly enough, he manages to make the task appear deceptively easy.

We should have known what to expect when five-handed live band Jet missed their cue to strike up. Woefully weak in image terms and a pretty strange choice of material too, with Walkin’ On Sunshine shoe-horned rather uncomfortably into Hazel O’Connor’s Will You. Sadly, on this showing, this Jet seemed stuck on the runway.

Girls Only are at first glance a group of vocal impressionists, whose costumed capers pitch them as some sort of tribute to female divas. The costuming and choreography are the real selling point for this four-strong group who gave us Britney Spears, Shania Twain and Kylie, among others, and should do considerable holiday centre business this summer.

Comedy impressionist Ben Nickless shows huge promise. A Joe Pasquale impression was topical and a Corrie sketch raised huge laughs. However, the success or failure of this exceptionally talented young man will hinge on whether he hones his material to suit those who blush more easily. Nickless also needs to appear more likeable as, at present, there is a danger that he could end up occupying the same comedy ground as Jimmy Carr, which, in my view, just doesn’t suit him.

Audience attention spans are often limited with mime acts with much riding on their initial visual impact. But on this showing Xerox should work and work. The lookalike factor for the female characters was stunning - all the more impressive given that the artists, with one exception, are all male. The whole confection would make a delightful theatre-style revue show.

Close-up magician James Brown trawled the room to great effect during the interval, unveiling a great slight of hand item involving a playing card and my wristwatch.

More magic was then on the agenda with an appearance from Tensai. This has to be one of the best costumed and presented speciality acts in the south. An oriental flavour just lends itself to the superb levitation illusion, which provided the finale to their excellent performance.

All-round entertainer Rick Bonner looked as though he was trying to fit the proverbial quart into the old pint pot. During his spot we got the lot with vocals, some nifty saxophone solos and audience participation. It would have been nicer if this personable entertainer had taken time to make some contact with the audience, however, as the whole thing looked a bit rushed.

Song and dance man Ricky K is a real stand-out. From his head to his twinkling toes he is a natural entertainer. Cab Calloway’s Minnie the Moocher and Dancing Fool wound the late-night crowd up and Ricky K was a huge hit. The real key here of course will be whether the comedy, the dance and the music can be channelled together into a package with media appeal. Entertainers like this one belong to a bygone cabaret age and, while they work a treat in front of a live audience, the Ricky Ks of this world are shamefully ignored in television land.

Completing the show was three-girl vocal and dance act Diva Fever, who performed songs from Girls Aloud and Chrissie Hynde in a well defined and enjoyable closing set.

A friendly welcome for one and all from Dee and his helpers, which should bode well for the forthcoming summer season.