Curtains up Showcase session three
Reviewer Mark Ritchie
A 100 strong knot of choristers from the Funky Voices modern choir packed the stage and outer areas and filled the casino with sound and musical passion. Hugely enjoyable and adept at providing choirs of all shapes and sizes, this en-masse team made a compelling case in front of the assembled head-swivelling bookers.
The unenviable task of following the choir fell to solo singer Steve Brewer, who had the look of a Clubland or holiday park style singer who was trying to broaden his horizons. Talking down applause in the sign of a performer who is either nervous or not used to receiving applause. I suspect in the case of Brewer it was the jitters that made him appear in such a rush.
The Established are a four piece, girl fronted, semi-live party and function band, who looked and sounded like the real deal. The extremely tattooed lady fronting the band led the charge as The Established made their assured musical pitch.
Clever comedy conjuror David Taylor probably isn’t doing anything all that original, but in the narrow yardage he performs in, Taylor is totally excellent. The whole package is here and the appeal will no doubt be broad, industry-wide.
Singer Tasha Lee presented me with a fair few review type problems. This doe-eyed powerhouse performer gave us the first ever tribute to Jess Glynne. My initial problem was actually hearing her, as the professional entertainers who gathered in the room were making a lot of noise, while their fellow artistes were trying to create a favourable impression on stage. In short this was a promising performance from a very current and emerging tribute subject.
Comedy duo A.J and Sykes were very unlucky when a technical problem marred their set. However this act, which has been a work in progress for a while now, seems to be coming on leaps and bounds.
It was also only a matter of time before a Mumford Bros tribute band appeared. Chasing Mumford are a five piece, who are entirely live and play all the hits. This really is a cracking tribute attraction, whether you are a fan or not. Musical verve and a great sound combine here and Chasing Mumford shouldn’t be chasing work for very long on this showing.
Singer Scott Borley presented his Maximum Robbie show to great effect and was a massive hit on the night. A dead-ringer for Williams, this act has to be one of the market-leaders in the Robbie field.
Sweet soul-singer Steve Williamson, in my view, falls into the same trap of many singers of his type, but not appearing with the sharp-dressed image required to match the vocal ability.
The Arg band are a live band with a singer out front, wearing a jumper and looking remarkably, in my view, like an embarrassing high school teacher who had got up to sing uninvited at a school concert. It transpired that the man with the jumper was a ‘star’, of the reality TV show Towie and his name is James Argent (or ‘Arg’, to those in the know). I have no knowledge of Reality TV, so perhaps best to say no more.
Two representatives from the Essex based Jokers Comedy club came next. Tony Moresi was the first and ‘Tony from Tottenham’, is a very brave man. Gradually the noisy late-night crowd warmed to him and Moresi emerged triumphant. The Pun-Man entered in super hero costume, armed only with tonnes of puns….and why not?
Closing the show out was an all-girl glamour spectacular, collectively known as Forbidden Angels. A dance based, girly spectacle of dance and a fair bit of exposed flesh is sure to score with certain bookers. After all, sex sells!
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Experts Choice: Marc Layton of Layton Entertainments Ltd chose Chasing Mumford & The Arg Band
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