When we think of ‘variety theatre,’ the terms ‘old-fashioned’ or even ‘dead’ may spring to mind. This is really quite sad. In a world where revolting chat shows and exploitative singing contests pass for entertainment, ‘One Night Only’ was a fun and insightful breath of fresh air.
Sue Barber was the charismatic host of the hour-and-a-half show, talking with humour and fondness about her theatrical upbringing. She is what she terms a ‘child of variety,’ being the fifth generation in a family of performers – she has performed herself in an act with her father – and is now studying for a PhD on the subject of variety theatre at DMU.
Guests included Andrew Van Buren, an illusionist who can do amazing things with plates. Another guest read from the diary of his travelling performer father, providing an amusing insight into the offstage life. One entry mentioned a rat eating through his clothes. Glamorous.
The fuzzy pictures and warped soundtracks of the archive footage did not distract from their entertainment value. They were five ‘home-movie’ style videos depicting acts from comedians to stilt walking (Sue Barber herself and her father were featured in one video).
Arguably, variety theatre doesn’t have its place in Britain anymore. However, with performers like Andrew Van Buren trying to keep it alive, it may one day make a comeback. He is apparently very popular in Dubai…
I also never knew Harry Houdini’s real name was Eric Weiss.
Stephanie-Louise Farrell
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