Reviews   Cracker with a topical edge This is billed as the Turkey and Tinsel Edition of the hilarious comedy by Midland-based theatre company Something and Nothing, and it's a real cracker! Quite topical, too, as struggling Brummie cabaret duo Patrick and Bernadine are broken up by the lure of brighter lights after one of the singers appears on a television show to find a pop star. Blonde Bernadine has an accidental fall in which she flashes her pants on telly during an early round, but that leads to her landing appearances in front of much bigger audiences than she had suffered with her gay pal, Patrick. Eleanor Jones gives a very convincing performance as Bernadine, tired of the slog around holiday camps in front of couldn't-care-less punters for twelve grand a year, but facing a loyalty crisis when the BBC invites her to an audition. Dan Hagley, who wrote the show, plays Patrick and you can feel his pain as he struggles to stay in the lower rungs of showbiz after the split, but eventually goes back to managing a video hire shop. Alison Belbin is a real hoot as she attempts to help devastated Patrick keep his act alive. VERDICT: 4 out of 5 stars   – Paul Marston, Birmingham Mail.     “  This is ‘real’ showbiz – the dingy dressing rooms and dodgy gigs... In the title roles, Dan Hagley and Eleanor Jones resisted the temptation to become one-dimensional characters, but it is Alison Belbin, as Reen, who steals the show. Her 50th birthday speech was a great piece of stand-up... The West Midlands cast certainly proved that Brummies Got Talent.” – Lynda Smart, Leicester Mercury.     “  The writing was quirky, quick and perhaps worryingly smacked of real family life! It was packed with Brummie humour, gloriously camp, camp, camp and a much anticipated finale managed to send me back to Minehead 1996 - memories of bad wigs, Cherry B and Barry Manilow came flooding back! Loved it!!” – Dionne McCarthy, The Stirrer.     “  ...held together by some very good acting from its three performers. Hagley as Patrick and Eleanor Jones as Bernadine both gain audience sympathy, and there is an excellent performance from Alison Belbin as Reen.” Jan Pick, Reviewsgate.       Audience feedback “  Brilliant night out that really appealed to my sense of humour. All people with me feel the same & really enjoyed it. Definitely would come back and see more from this company… Brilliant!!!!” “  Dan Hagley wrote an excellent script and his portrayal of a fading singer was spot on. I can’t wait to see more of his work.” “  A very funny character observation – an affectionate portrayal of brummie characters.” “  It was a great evening that left me and others uplifted. The dialogue zinged!” “  Just wish I was able to come again tomorrow.” “  Great night out, really enjoyed the play. Thank you!”

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