50 stories by "Mark Ritchie"
With his wife Sue, John Coolie formed a comedy double act that became one of the most popular turns working in social clubs, cabaret venues and holiday parks around Britain. The act, called …
Club Baize, Beighton: Although it was established more than 40 years ago, Peller Artistes almost invariably means the best of UK tribute artists these days. A large contingent of party plann…
Grosvenor Hotel, Pulford, nr Chester: This splendid annual event was presented with a truncated format this time around. This is usually a three-session affair, but this time around one nigh…
Spa Theatre, Bridlington: Strictly Come Dancing star Camilla Dallerup benefits from a script in which a dance competition is crowbarred into the scene where Cinderella goes to the ball. Play…
West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds: Bold, imaginative and innovative in production terms, this show, adapted from the book by Raymond Briggs, is a three hander telling the tale of the biggest d…
Harrogate Studio Theatre: Set in 1900, the writer Edith Nesbit has suffered personal tragedy and professional success. While resigned to the behaviour of her openly philandering husband, the…
Carriageworks Theatre, Leeds: With musicians in the pit led by musical director Rob Wicks, some nifty choreography by Clare Kennedy and a tip-top pantomime comedian in the talented Jez Edwar…
Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield: From a German fairytale to a piece of children's theatre may not seem so much of a leap, but this is pretty imaginative seasonal family fare.
Rea…
Cast, Doncaster: Staged in a brand spanking new theatre, this show has many cast members doubling as musicians. The production sports a War Horse-type giant equine puppet and is sure to evok…
City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds: This year's offering provides the opportunity for a display of multitasking, the like of which I have not witnessed in any other production.
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Maynard Hotel, Grindleford : A public meeting within a zoological society institute spurs a tale of comic derring-do, reminiscent of the current West End hit comedy The 39 Steps.
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Stephen Joseph Theatre Scarborough: Set in Scarborough in the year 2525, planet Earth is flooded after an environmental catastrophe and the remaining inhabitants are aided by robots in their…
Academy Theatre, Barnsley: When someone is the producer, author, director and star of a pantomime production, that person can only blame themselves if it all goes wrong. Happily, all-round p…
Ribby Hall Holiday Village, Blackpool: Compere Tom McLeod is a very strong vocalist who set the scene with some well chosen songs and professional and concise chat.
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Garrick Theatre, Lichfield: After such an outstanding first evening's tribute entertainment, it was hard to imagine how such a pace and quality could be repeated - but it was.
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October 30-November 2: At last, a new flagship national light entertainment event for the UK. After the Showcall Showcase was axed without a worthy successor on the horizon, there was certai…
Crofton Working Mens Club, Wakefield: A local medical charity benefitted from a great Yorkshire Clubland night at which the talents of acts from a variety of categories were recognised. Soci…
Liner Hotel, Liverpool: The surroundings within this nautically themed hotel set the scene, the cruise ship bookers were in attendance and all seemed set fair for a smooth showcase voyage. A…
Viva, Blackpool: Take a talented show business nut and add a luxuriously appointed converted bingo hall standing in the shadow of Blackpool tower and here we have Viva. Aside from the absenc…
Sands, Blackpool: This tribute spectacular has been staged in Blackpool since 1999 and this year's show is presented in an amazing new venue, right on the famous Golden Mile.
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Gaiety Theatre, Ayr: In winter we panto, in Summer we whirl, was the message on Ayr's billboards at the newly refurbished Gaiety. There was a cursory nod to the direction of the great d…
June 17-18: Many of the attendees travelled from the USA and the far-east to see what agent Jonathan Blackburn's company had to offer the cruise and corporate entertainment market this …
Westgate Common Club, Wakefield: Talent shows of note have been produced in this city for many years now but this event is the only successful show ever to be staged in a traditional committ…
The Spa, Scarborough : Headlining in Scarborough this season after last summer's success in neighbouring Bridlington, Johnnie Casson is again at his hysterically funny best. His jokes a…
Birmingham Hippodrome: This Qdos-produced gala evening was dedicated to the memory of the much-loved Ian Sandy, who was company manager at the Hippodrome for 23 pantomime seasons.
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