This week’s issue of The Stage is a bumper light entertainment special. Featuring our first ever wraparound cover (see above), we lift the lid on all sides of this lucrative, but undervalued, sector of the performing arts.
We invited a selection of light entertainment performers to join us on stage at the beautiful Hackney Empire to celebrate the impending launch of booktheact.com in December, The Stage’s forthcoming light entertainment directory and act booking website. From vocalists and tribute acts, to yo-yo pros, burlesque artists, psychics and harpists, they demonstrate the huge diversity of talent across the UK.
Also this week:
Dressed in a white suit and ready for victory, Gareth Gates’ first experience of public disappointment was losing out to Will Young in the final of 2002’s Pop Idol. Since then, Young has soared in the credibilty stakes while Gates’s pop career disintegrated. He talks about starring in panto, where he sees his future and why he won’t change a thing about his seven years of fame
Ventriloquist Nina Conti describes life on the comedy circuit and the subculture of the “spesh” act
Insight: With the recession looming, now is a good time for light entertainment as audiences search for something to lift their spirits. Michael Quinn reflects on which elements of the gene are likely to grow most in popularity
Qdos entertainment director and specialist variety producer and writer Jon Conway discusses the popularity of live variety, why the genre is so poorly represented on television and its future in British society
Training: If you’re thinking about a career in light entertainment, Susan Elkin looks at some of the educational courses that could help
Hackney Empire chief executive Simon Thomsett on why “light” doesn’t mean “insubstantial”
Agent Hannah Chambers on the importance of the internet
Dear John: “Constant gigging is they only proven way to get better as a comedian, but how do I go about getting more of those gigs?” Plus John and The Stage’s light entertainment guru Mark Ritchie advise one comedian about how to turn his hand to TV presenting
As The Stage prepares to launch its new online product booktheact.com, Mark Ritchie introduces the team responsible for generating the sales for the project
Showpeople: Q&As with Mark Copeland, founder of Insect Circus; actor-magician Joe Tracini, Disneyland Resort Paris head of entertainment casting Madeline Aveson-Gruber; comedian and mime artist Ricky K
From car launches to wedding receptions, the market for celebrity or character lookalikes can provide an income strem for those lucky enough to resemble a famous person
Backstage Focus: By using three-dimensional interactive projections, producer Qdos has set the benchmark for pantomime spectaculars
We meet legendary variety club owner Bob Potter, who despite turning 80 this month has lost none of his energy, dedication and enthusiasm
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