Cabaret Secrets

If you'd like to entertain on the world's largest cruise ships, here's some invaluable insider information from one of Royal Caribbean's senior Cruise Directors. We discuss the kinds of acts who work best on ships, why it's not enough to be a great singer, how to won over non English speaking audiences, how long the show should be, socialising with guests onboard, why it's important to have good billing, whether you should make friends with the Cruise Director, how ratings work and whether standing ovations really matter or not.

Marcus Reeves is the founder of cabaret coaching services Web Coach London and Between the Songs. In this quick interview recorded at last year's London Cabaret Convention we discuss his latest support initiative 'Between the Songs'.

When she's not singing Kai Hoffman she spends her time teaching stagecraft and helping other performers reach their potential. In this Podcast she tells all.

As Artistic Director for Belinda King Productions, Lisa Cottrell is responsible for the whole process of creating and presenting shows from beginning to end. In this great interview she shares her expertise.

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, Snapchat... what's the point? Is it
worth spending hours updating and amended these sites? George Brummer is a
social media expert who tells us how to make social media work for us.

If you're a singer who wants to add a little humour to your set don't try
and become a comedian. Instead listen to advice from top comic Tom
O'Connor.

I chat to Musical Director Pete Rogers about a musician's perspective on
what makes a good act and how to best work with the band on board.

With over 20 years on the cabaret scene Tim McArthur has won critical
acclaim and across the world. This interview covers everything from putting
your show together, how to talk to an audience and how to crack the
Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

In this podcast I talk to Royal Caribbean Cruise Director Jerome Sueur and
ask the questions you always wanted to ask but never had the chance.

London based Laura Davis has spent years promoting shows on both sides of
the Atlantic. If you want to take your cabaret across the pond, she could
be your secret weapon.

In this Podcast I talk to Royal Caribbean sound engineer TK (Tom
Killoran) on how to get the best sound for your show.

In this Podcast, recorded on board Cunard's Queen Victoria with Musical
Director Hamish Revell, we discuss what a new artiste needs to know before
taking their act to sea.

In this interview Paul explains his approach to reviewing, how he deals
with shows he doesn't personally enjoy (even though everyone else seems to)
and when he's prepared to write a strongly negative review.

Enjoy this special Cabaret Secrets Podcast in conversation with Don as he
shares what he's learned from working with Sammy Davis Jr, Bruce Forsyth,
Morecambe and Wise, Howard Keel and more.

In this Podcast comic John Evans shares his secrets on how to tell a joke,
what subjects to avoid and how you can inject some comedy into your show.

Gary Arbuthnot has become one of the most respected and highly rated
performers at sea. Lucky for us, he is very candid about how he got there
and generously shares the secrets of his success.

Michael Quinn explains how he went from starring in West End shows to
cruise ship production spectaculars and finally created his own headline
cabaret act.

Would you like to perform at one of the most famous jazz clubs in the
world? This week Paul Pace, one of the bookers at London's Ronnie Scott's,
tell you exactly how.

Armed with her Manifesto of Intimacy, Lady Rizo knows the more real, honest
and raw she is with her audience the more meaningful the experience for
everyone.

In this edition of Cabaret Secrets director Hugh Wooldridge shares stories
of working with greats like Stephen Sondheim, John Standing, Cleo Laine,
Judi Dench, Liz Robertson, Colm Wilkinson and many more.

Nicky Gaynor is enthusiastic about her Fringe experience. “By going to
Edinburgh I did twelve shows night after night which meant I got five years
experience in two weeks..”

Fancy singing with a big band? Leader of the Len Phillips Big Band tells me
what he looks for in his singers and how to get a job.

Cabaret star Sarah Louise Young explains how to work with a director,
surviving the Edinburgh Fringe and how to make your show connect with an
audience.

Broadway critic Michael Riedel tells me whether Broadway and West End
singers can do cabaret and how we can keep a critic like him engaged.

I always say how excited I am to be interviewing whomever I happen to be
interviewing (and I always am) but spending 50 minutes in conversation with
Steve Ross was as much an inspiration as it was eduction.

Cabaret legend Marilyn Maye talks about her friends Steve Allen, Johnny
Carson, Mel Tormé and Ella Fitzgerald who described her as "the greatest
white female singer in the world."

In this, the second and final part of my interview with New Yorker Stacey
Sullivan, we discuss what it's like to record an album.

Simply Barbra Steven Brinberg talks about the challenges for cabaret
singers to find an audience in metropolis like London and New York when
there is so much competition from other performers and legitimate theatre.

Cabaret star Stacy Sullivan is all about truth. Being sincere and honest on
stage, both in the songs she chooses and the things she says is key in her
approach.

In part two of my interview with singer impersonator Christina Bianco we
talk technical about how she creates her shows and balances giving the
audience what they want with giving them something new.

In part one of my interview with impersonator and cabaret star Christina
Bianco we discuss whether that YouTube exposure related to people buying
tickets for shows and becoming true fans.

Lighting, like sound, can make or break your show. If you're new to ships
dealing with tech staff can be intimidating. Here Dale Barr – a terrific
lighting technician from the UK explains all.

If you're a fan of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and (like me) have always
fancied taking a show there, pianist and composer Michael Roulston has some
great advice to get you on your way.

Whether you are singing other people's songs or your own, Barb Jungr told
me, “You need to be doing it with your whole self, that way you'll be
giving and people will know you'll be giving.”

In this Cabaret Secrets Podcast Lynn Ruth Miller shares truly valuable
advice and how to make your Fringe show a success. “What's going to make
you famous in Edinburgh,” she says, “is a great show”.

This interview covers three main topics: Sara's own show, her work as a
cabaret reviewer and the benefits of social media.

Ruth Leon is a writer, critic, director, and currently the Artistic
Director for London's Crazy Coqs cabaret room. Here she explains what it
takes to be a cabaret star and how you can get booked to perform at the
Crazy Coqs.

James Albrecht is part of the team responsible for booking artistes for the
St James' Studio. If you'd like to work there he tells us exactly how to
make contact and show him what you can do.

Actor Mark Halliday talks about the challenges of building a career in show
business without the benefit musical training, the image of working on
cruise ships, creating his own solo act and ultimately producing his own
hit shows.

“This is career number four,” says Harold Sanditen. He's worked in
manufacturing, investment banking, as a theatre producer and at 52 (proving
it's never too late) he became a cabaret singer. He's now hosts the weekly
open mic night at London's Crazy Coqs.

West End star Liz Robertson tells us about the part she played in one of
Mark Shenton's favourite's heckles and we had a good natter about whether
it's necessary to reveal something of ourselves in what we say during our
show.

Cabaret star Michael Feinstein spills the beans on his loves, influences
and what it takes to make it in the world of cabaret.

Mark is one of the UK's most respected and prolific reviewers. He's
passionate about theatre and loves discovering exciting new artistes. As
for getting Mark along to review one of your shows, he says, “Don't be
afraid to get in touch, I don't mind being pestered,” he says, “As long as
you don't mind me saying no, I don't mind being asked.”

How to get booked for the Henley Festival (and much more) by Artistic
Director Stewart Collins.

In part 2 of my interview with sound engineer Kay Richardson, we cover
microphone technique andthe kind of language to use when we're
communicating with the sound engineer.

In part 1 Kay Richardson talks about equipment on the ship as opposed the
land, the importance of a technical rider for the band set up, and we
discuss the pros and cons of using click tracks.

Pianist and musical director Joel Pearson talks about the importance of
good musical arrangements and shares a few tips for aspiring cabaret
artistes.

In part 2 of my interview with multi-instrumentalist Kuba Kawnick, we cover
how to work lighting engineers and getting used to working on a cruise
ship.

Kuba Kawnik talks about commissioning musical arrangements, choosing
repertoire, changing the show from ship to ship and how to work with a
sound technician.

Alexander Bermange - Composer and Performer explains with ins and outs of
cabaret, writing songs and getting ahead.

Comedian and all round entertainer Allan Stewart and I discuss the art of
the standing ovation.

In this, the third part of my interview with entertainer Allan Stewart, we
discuss comedy for singers, point numbers, audience participation, the
value of the template and much more.

In this, the second part of my interview with entertainer Allan Stewart, we
discuss lighting and sound, people management and how to work with the
band.

In Part 1 Allan Stewart discusses how to develop the act, using a template,
why silence is deadly, how to make every show look like your first, how to
make chat sound natural, the first 15 minutes and much more.

In part 3 of my interview with singer Todd Gordon we discuss the importance
of sincerity on stage, tips for recording your own CD and why you need to
be “a bit pushy” to get ahead in show-business.

In part 2 of my interview with singer Todd Gordon we discuss the pleasures
and perils of promoting your own show, how to market a show to find an
audience, and working with the best musicians possible.

In part 1, singer Todd Gordon talk about working in a small cabaret room as
opposed to large concert halls, chatting to the audience between songs and
using comedy in the show.

In this, the final part of my interview with booking agent, Gary Parkes, he
gives some great advice on how to make sure the cruise lines want to keep
on booking you.

In part 3 of my interview with booking agent, Gary Parkes, we discuss the
future of the cruise industry and tells us what kinds of acts cruise lines
are most keen to book.

In part 2 of my interview with booker, Gary Parkes, we discuss the effect
of the recession on the cruise industry and what kinds of acts are still in
demand.

Imagine sitting down with a top booking agent for 40 minutes and ask them
everything you want to know about how to find work and develop a career on
cruise lines. Well, that's exactly what I did with booker Gary Parkes, and
this four part Podcast is the result.

In part 2 of my interview with lighting engineer Tom Derycke, he explains
how he programs the lights while the act is rehearsing with the band and
the key information he needs to know in advance.

Lighting engineer Tom Derycke explains the problem of “information
overload” and we discuss the best way for acts to explain to the engineer
what they want in their show.

In part 4 – the final instalment of my chats with cabaret producer Neil
Marcus, we discuss the importance of working with a director and getting
honest feedback.

In part 3 of my chat with cabaret producer Neil Marcus we discuss the
importance of making your show very personal and telling your story. If
you're new to the business and don't yet have much to say, Neil offers
alternative ideas to structuring your show.

In part 2 of my chat with cabaret producer Neil Marcus he shares advice on
how to create your own cabaret show.

In part 1 Neil Marcus talks about the role of the producer and whether
musical theatre performers make good cabaret performers.

Fiona Jane Weston is an actress, teacher, cabaret critic and performer. We
talk about the importance of good artwork and branding for a cabaret show,
how to get your cabaret reviewed and breaking down the forth wall.

In part 2 of my interview with Brazilian singer tells me the benefits of
recording a CD and how she chose which songs to feature.

Veronica Ferriani discuss how to talk to international audiences, in her
case Brazilians and English speakers, and how she decides which songs to
sing in her show.

In this, the forth and final part of my interview with Cruise Director,
João Wolf, we discuss the importance of checking your paperwork for visas
and why you need to invest in a good watch.

In part 3 of my interview with Cruise Director, João Wolf, we talk about
the famous rating systems on cruise ships – how much they matter and
whether poor ratings mean we won't be hired again.

In part 2 of my interview with Cruise Director, João Wolf, we discuss
repertoire, common mistakes, which acts don't do so well on ships and the
importance of asking “why” all the time.

Ever wondered what a cruise director actually does? How much influence they
have over whether an act will be booked again? What they actually want from
their entertainers onboard? Joao Wolf tells all.

In part 2, the final part of my chat with sound man Chris Peters, he
explains how long it takes to get the sound right during a soundcheck and
how to communicate properly with the engineer using every day language.

In part 1, sound man Chris Peters discusses what attracted him to cruise
ships, the importance of using a technical rider, why it's so important to
choose the right microphone and of course to use it properly with good
vocal technique.

In this forth and final instalment from Maria King, we discuss the
particular challenges faced by female entertainers and how to be natural
onstage.

In part 3, I discuss with Maria King how she developed her stage craft and
“patter” on stage. We discuss how to perform to an unresponsive audience,
pacing yourself and how to deal with loneliness on the ships.

In part 2, pianist Maria King explains how she chose the repertoire for her
show, commissioning musical arrangements, how traveling around the world
isn't quite as glamorous as you might think.

In this, the first of 4 instalments, pianist Maria King explains her
journey from classically trained pianist to headline entertainer on cruise
ships.

Anthony Davis explains why it takes 10 years to get good and Harry the
Piano explains how he went from a terrified public speaker to communicator
extraordinaire.

The pros and cons of getting edgy with the audience, Sinatra's attitude,
and Michael Gambon's penis.

This week we meet Anthony Davis and Harry the Piano discuss how to spell
out a show and how to profit from the dead.

All the things you wanted to ask a Cruise Director but never dared!

Joey Mix plays the trombone and has been a musical director on ships since
2001. He explains the role of the MD and how an act should conduct
themselves during a rehearsal with the band.