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Hooked on Laughter
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Starring Vizage
Bournemouth Pier Theatre
Summer 2005
Reviewed by Mike Danata
Being so busy these days with all things "Magical" (busy studio, dealing with
customers, sending out mail order, marketing/manufacturing effects, BOOK
KEEPING! (Euck!) etc, some would say that I need to "Get out more" this is
absolutely true, so when I do "Get out" I want it to be an "Occasion" that is
absolutely worthwhile "Getting out" for!!
"Hooked On Laughter" was one such occasion! What a GREAT show! VARIETY at it's
absolute best! I went with a few friends primarily to support Sam & Vicki of
Illusion Act "Visage" but found myself enjoying the whole show from start to
finish!
The show bounced along at a wonderful pace. The show consisted of Singing,
Dancing, Comedy (lots of it!!) Magic, & Ventriloquism. Every ounce of talent was
squeezed out of the cast members, which consisted of ten people, sometimes all
singing & dancing! (even the comedians!).
The night I went, the theatre was full, the same theatre a few years ago was
"Dark" because the comedy farce "No Sex Please Were British" was "pulled"
because of dwindling audience numbers. Last year had a Variety Show which
featured another great Illusion act called "Tensai". One assumes that because of
the success of last years Variety show, that maybe this was the reason that this
years show was booked. "Visage" the award winning illusionists have two spots in
the show with their magic, I'm not going to ruin the element of surprise here by
listing their effects, suffice to say that each time they appear they STUN the
audience with their BREATHTAKING illusions, beautifully choreographed. Some lay
people sat behind me were continually gasping, & I overheard several times
someone saying "How did they do that?" Vicki is also a very good singer, she
came back later in the show solo, & did a WICKED Tina Turner impression,
complete with outfit/hair & THE LEGS!!!! singing LIVE. Sam the other half of
Visage also did a Cliff Richard impression, which also was pretty wicked! They
also appear in many production numbers throughout the show, showcasing their
talents to the full.
Both comedians (Bob Taylor, & Phil Lowen) were HILARIOUS!! some VERY VERY funny
moments. The show was called "Hooked on Laughter, but at times the audience were
"HOOKED ON HOWLING WITH LAUGHTER!" as I said, some very very funny moments.
Mitchell Armstrong the West End vocalist scored very heavily, in particular (for
me) with "Have I Told You Lately" (I love that song!). Wendy Abrahams, did a
short spot of ventriloquism, with an old lady puppet, her technique was
brilliant, the puppet was to sing a song, but couldn't keep time, so Wendy
hummed the rhythm, whilst the puppet SANG at the same time!!!! very very clever,
& much appreciated by the very responsive audience. Wendy also danced & sang in
production numbers (didn't they all!!) as well as appearing in her own "Spots".
The "Danze Chique Dancers" (choreographed by Georgia Lee) added a touch of
glamour & sparkle to the proceedings with their slick routines, & flashy
outfits.
The lighting was terrific, along with the sets. The show is produced & directed
by Colin Matthews, one of the few people who know how to produce "Variety" in
this country today. Musical Director was Pete Leonard.
All in all a thoroughly enjoyable show! DON'T MISS IT!!
The Pier Theatre
Bournemouth Box Office Tel: 0870 111 3000
Tuesdays Wednesdays & Thursdays 10th May - 21st July inc
Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays & Fridays 25th July - 2nd Sept inc
Tuesdays Wenesdays & Thursdays 6th Sept - 29th Sept inc
8.15 Pm Nightly
£13.00 £12.00 (Students & Senior Citizens) & £7.00 (Under 16)
©
Mike Danata, May 2005