Comedy, acrobatics, music and entertainment are what Showzam’s Variety Notes is all about, taking place in Blackpool for one night only, on Saturday February 13 at The Grand Theatre.
A night of cabaret hosted by the irrepressible Mrs Barbara Nice, Variety Notes features a host of acts guaranteed to entertain, from the likes of famed double act Frisky and Mannish, to musician and comedian Earl Okin, Madam Galina (aka Iestyn Edwards) and circus performer Elvis Hula Boy to name but a few.
The comedy creation of Janice Connolly, Barbara Nice is now a circuit headline act in her own right, as well as being one of the most experienced comperes in the country. Having recently supported Johnny Vegas and Peter Kay, she has also performed solo shows in Edinburgh (Stand and Guilded Balloon), Brighton (Komedia and Pavilion Theatre) and Manchester (The Lowry).
Comedic music genius Frisky and Mannish are guaranteed to whip the crowd up in to a frenzy with their fantastical take on a number of pop classics. Having enjoyed a critically acclaimed tour last year, which included sell-out performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the duo take to the stage as a vision of glitter, sequins, wigs and attitude and before long have the audience laughing along and singing their heart out. No pop song is safe – from Girls Aloud to Meatloaf and The Bangles to The Ting Tings, ridicule is on the agenda.
Earl Okin has been entertaining audiences for over three decades and has no plans on stopping anytime soon. A singer-songwriter, musician and comedian, Earl started out performing at Jazz Festivals and Clubs. An appearance on The Parkinson Show made him realise his comedic ability and he embarked on a second career on the ‘alternative comedy’ circuit where he remains a headline act.
An entertainer of ample proportions and the forces sweetheart, Madame Galina wows audiences wherever she goes with her extraordinary dancing and acid tongue. Last year’s performances included stints entertaining the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, a private performance for Her Majesty The Queen, the Olivier Award winning show C'est Barbican, two series on Channel 4 and Ruby Wax Does The Business on the BBC.
First seen on Britian’s Got Talent, Hula Boy (aka Craig Reid) will be showcasing his renowned Elvis act. Using the hula-hoop as his weapon of choice, Craig performs a slick, high-energy and unforgettable act, combining a classic hula-hoop style with handstands and isolation.
A comedy string trio who are astounding audiences all over the world, Pluck’s spoof concerts combine music, comedy, and theatre in equal measure. Pluck’s performers, both past and present, are all trained classical musicians, who share an unusual desire to do more than just play the instruments that they’ve spent so long learning and perfecting. Their tailor-made shows have been enjoyed by audiences around the world, with Variety Notes playing host to the trio in Blackpool for the first time.
Bongo Bolero are double act Nikki Andrews and Richard Durnford. Fresh from their sold-out Vegas tour, these two seasoned performers are delighted to present a heady mix of glamour and danger that guarantees to leave their audience gasping.
Their latest act follows Penny and Bernie, who have been touring the circuit for one too many seasons. Their rocky road is about to come to a very public end as a petty pre-show tiff threatens to escalate out of control and a minor slip of the foot turns their usually slick acrobatic act into a major farce.