Children In Need Review

I know it is considered a little old fashioned by some people, but I like a variety show! I have been in a few, put on a few and watched a lot, and I have learned much. The most important of all the lessons being, these things work best when you have a good reason for doing them. On this occasion it was a particularly worthy cause, and with Children in Need the sole beneficiary, I was intrigued to see what would be on offer as I took my seat in a pleasingly full auditorium at the wonderful Princess Theatre, Hunstanton. The excitement was intensified by the complete lack of a programme (I was told there was one but due to late and unexpected changes to the line-up it was more fiction than fact) so everything came at me as a complete surprise.

It turned out to be an odd mix of amateur and professional talent that actually sat together better than you might expect. The Jane Ashley Emile (J.A.E) Dancers opened the show nicely with a ‘Mack And Mabel’ number, followed by an old acquaintance (he had as much idea that I was going to be there as I had that he would be!!) Kevin Woolley, who served as compere for the duration of the proceedings. Next up a nice showing from the Hunstanton Community choir followed by pianist Jean Gibson. The seniors handed over to the juniors next with amateur vent act Connor Blake who could not have been more than twelve years old. It was power ballad time next courtesy of Sharon Yates with the Jennifer Rush winner ‘Power of Love’ with nice backing from dancer Dan Waite (Ex J.A.E). Kevin Woolley came back with a magic act and the Princess Players wound up the first half with a piece from their last show ‘Stepping Out’ which was a little out of context and may not have been understood by anyone who had not seem the show. I had, so I liked it!

Now as I finished off my mid-session Diet Vimto (other beverages are available) I thought I knew how the evening would conclude and, as I re-took my seat, I was confident that there would be more amateur content. Suffice to say I could not have been more wrong. Things took a turn for the surreal as the curtain rose to reveal the Decomposers, an… experienced …bunch of musicians who took us through some songs of years gone by. It was a good act with the band dressed in costumes that accentuated their advancing years. It was all good fun and one of the highlights. The other was professional (very professional) ventriloquist and comedian Tommy (Rollo) Rollason who completely stole the show with an act that could have been live from Her Majesty’s … if you remember that far back. He was followed by singer Tom Birks and more from the J.A.E Dancers. Although the information I was given didn’t say anything, I have a recollection that Tommy Rollason’s son was on about now with another juvenile vent act that was every bit as good (maybe even a little better) as the first. To take us to the finale Michele Larkin sang, and husband Ian did a George Formby that was to die for with his “Re-Installing Windows” variant making me laugh out loud. He was clearly an accomplished professional entertainer and went down very well with the audience. The same is true of Max Miller impersonator Pat Nearney who really brought the house down. I am sure that next to nobody in that theatre had the least idea who Max Miller was but I say this … the jokes were as funny in 2014 as they were in the forties…. Although I am also way too young!

Pianist John Harris led the finale which was an Old Time Music Hall medley and the applause was warm, and even warmer as the fundraising total of over £2000 was announced.

Well done Princess Theatre Club, these things are so difficult to put on and it was a cracking nights entertainment with everyone (professional and amateur) taking no fees or expenses. I say do another one next year, what do you say ??!

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