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Showcase productions Preview

b-v-lucasShowcase productions Preview

It is now time to look ahead to perhaps the flagship showcase event of the year, as Blackpool agents Barrie and Vicci Lucas prepare to welcome their guests to Showcase Productions Blackpool Showcase. UK Cabaret magazine editor Mark Ritchie previews the event and talks to some of the UK Cabaret subscribers who are involved.

Having attended possibly hundreds of showcase sessions during 16 years with The Stage newspaper and now during the short history of this publication, I can certainly vouch for the fact that Showcase Productions attracts the bookers. Being able to spot who is who, from each of the major companies who attend such events, enables me to judge whether the various showcase events are worth attending, from the point of view of the acts.

After all, there is a fee involved for acts to appear on events like this one and, although a show-reel also comes from the fee, the acts involved have to know, at the very least, that the potential exists to make money from their showcase appearance.

Yeovil based comedian Stewart Masters will be attending this event. Stewart said:’ I have appeared on this showcase and at this venue before. The venue is fantastic and the sound system is top-notch’.

Showcase Comedy Compere Lee Lard said;’ It’s such a friendly team and it’s a pleasure to be asked back every year to be part of the team. Credit to all involved’.

North-East agent Jim Tait is definitely attending, as he represents singing star Mark Allen. Jim said;’ Last year’s Blackpool event was a great success for Mark and that why he’s back this year’.

Agent and one half of Linacre and Knights, Dan Knights explained;’ Barrie Lucas cares that every act performing gets a fair chance. I attended last year to perform in the Linacre and Knights act, but this year I am attending in my capacity as an agent.’

Barrie and Vicci Lucas have made sure this is truly trade-only. Only bookers and those acts and entertainers who are actually appearing on the showcase will be allowed in. This is not simply a huge mass drinking session for hordes of entertainers, whose idea of ‘networking’, is haranguing the bookers for work.

We’ll let Barrie Lucas himself have the last word, as he prepares to welcome the guests to the fabulous Viva venue. Barrie said;’ This is a showcase event that means business and only business’. Enough said!

In next week’s magazine there will be full review coverage. An edited version will appear online at a later date.

 

 

 

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