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| Join us in an evening of hilarious fun, well known songs,
magic and specialty acts in the well-loved tradition of the British Music Hall. All
conducted with elegant and decorous aplomb by some of New Zealand's most experienced and
seasoned performers and guest starring various international acts as are
available to suit. The show stars Paula Keenan a professional performer in New Zealand for over 30 years, most recently recognised from her role as Tiffany's mother in the long-running New Zealand TV series Shortland St. The show also features such performers as Keith Leggett (BBC TV Black & White Minstrel Show), Johnny Bond and Chic Littlewood (a lifetime of song and comedy in both television and theatre) and have previously, or can, feature guest artists such as Peter and Margo (internationally acclaimed illusionists), Marissa Craig (Australian tours of Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore and The Mikado.), Paul Romhany (Magician and Mime Artist regularly performing in Las Vegas, Asia and Great Britain) and Leo Bonne (international circus performer). The show runs in the original Music Hall format of a variety show with an MC banging his hammer on the table for your attention, filling the gaps with witticisms and jokes and introducing each act to the stage. Acts are either accompanied by a pianist (on a grand or baby grand piano) or with pre-recorded music of the period. There's lots of comedy, songs to sing along with and plenty of opportunity for the audience to "yeh" and "boo" along with the stories which they are encouraged to do throughout the evening. We close with an address from Queen Victoria herself and then everyone can join in with "Land of Hope and Glory" while madly waving their Union Jacks. "What a magnificent evening ...
"A very professional show... such a merry atmosphere!" |
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Some History on the British Music Hall... One of the most popular and enduring forms of entertainment in Great Britain's history, the Music Hall, or "Palace of Varieties" reached it's height during the reign of Queen Victoria. From humble beginnings in drinking rooms, the Music Hall was mainly an entertainment for gentlemen... ladies being considered "too delicate" to witness it's rowdy offerings. However, women gradually began to be admitted (often viewing the proceedings from behind a screen) until, by the late 1800's, it was common for both sexes to attend together. For the admittance price of 3d, which included quantities of gin or beer plus a plate or two of oysters, the audience was treated to a lively performance including singers, comedians and variety acts, all held together in a semblance of order by a be-whiskered "Chairman". Many famous Music Halls were specially built for the purpose, and these sprang up all over London, and the rest of England, in very short order. Music Hall was the craze for a hundred years, and people couldn't get enough of it. Many "stars" of the Music Halls retain their fame to the present day, and their names have gone down in our theatrical history books in much the same way as the pop stars of today. In fact, some were so popular they became enormously wealthy and included the aristocracy amongst their friends. Most, sadly, died young, usually from excess of drink or simply exhaustion. Stars usually ran from Hall to Hall performing 7 nights a week. The Halls continued to enjoy great popularity even after Queen Victoria died in 1901, but gradually began to be superseded by other forms of entertainment, mainly "jazz" from the United States. Although it's true to say that nearly all the old Music Halls have now vanished into dust, audiences still love the old songs, the hearty fellowship and good old fashioned "clean" fun that modern re-creations of this famous form of entertainment provide. Call it nostalgia, call it a yearning to return to simpler, less complicated times, but everybody who is privileged to share an evening at a Victorian Music Hall will always go home humming a tune with a smile on their faces. |
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Paula Keenan's
Victorian Music Hall is available Booking enquiries email here or phone one of our Talent On Line offices.
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