I’M OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER THE HEY DAYS  of variety and still have an affection for that period. If you’re similarly inclined you may like to know about a tour announced for August and September called “Best of British Variety” 2008. It  features many former variety stars although many are still doing gigs despite the demise of theatres. You may think that this type of entertainment is a bit passe but there are still older performers who can work and hold an audience and I am certain that this tour will sell well to older patrons many of whom are up to here withTV. How do I know? I do a lot of one hour shows for groups of older people – Rotary, Probus, W.I. U3A, Corporate Retirement Clubs and the like and they are all emphatic about their preference for live entertainment. But back to the show.

For example. Frank Carson, still belting out the Irish one liners and still  getting the bookings at corporate dinners and other venues.

Cannon and Ball – had a period out of the limelight with personal problems – the duo comedy routines and style are possibly dated but they’ll probably catch the right mood with the audience that will be attracted to this show.

 Paul Daniels – still a name and still appearing all over the place but I bet he’ll present the act that got him into TV in the first place and brought national success - the chop cup, linking rings and the electric chair routine, all of which he still does superbly today better than most magicians. His high speed chop cup routine is totally individual  and he has made it his own. He’ll be good.

And then Jimmy Cricket, still funny in his quaint Irish way and I bet he’ll score. Did you know that at one time he worked in the shop for Ron MacMillan and had a legs table made with two legs in green wellies for his act?

Rest of the bill are Brotherhood of Man, Eurovision contest winner and The Krankies – we’ll I don’t know about them for I haven’t seen them for years. It may be old style entertainment but I bet they’ll get good houses.

The 20 million viewers that “Britain’s Got Talent” secured for the final  and the whole series could I believe  signal the renaissance of a new audience for variety. It could happen, not in theatres but in town halls, civic centres and other venues.

The “Best of British Variety“ is touring throughout Britain in 21 towns and you’ll find details on www.tdpromo.com  

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