A FAMILY variety show is coming to Weymouth Pavilion on Saturday, October 18.

Variety Showtime will feature song, dance, music, comedy and speciality acts continuing the tradition of Harold Cordell’s long-running variety shows at the Pavilion Theatre.

Harold Cordell was the stage name of Harold Crump and last year his son Brian Crump organised a 40th anniversary show at the same venue to celebrate the achievement and to say thank you to his father, who has retired from the stage.

This year the show will be raising money for Weymouth Breathe Easy Group, a cause selected in memory of family friend and entertainer, the late David Fowler.

Variety Showtime will feature local singers and dancers as well as music, comedy and speciality acts, including Mr Crump’s ‘cheeky boy’ ventriloquist act, which he took over from his father.

The show will be compered by Mark Sampson-Vincent, who is a member of the Royal Manor Theatre Company on Portland.

It will also be the first appearance in a Cordell Variety Show for Alex Best, a member of local four part harmony group the Decadettes and the Weymouth Operatic Society and Paul Jones, a member of the Weymouth Operatic Society.

Robert Smith, who is also performing, is a member of the Caledonians singing and drama group and also performs one man charity shows featuring songs, music, chat and anecdotes.

Performer Damaris Fowler has appeared in numerous London productions as well as UK and European touring shows. She has also appeared with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Paul, Alex, Damaris and Robert will feature in ‘The Little Tramp’ – a production sequence celebrating the music, songs and artistry of Charlie Chaplin. This year is the centenary anniversary of Chaplin’s creation of the Little Tramp character.

Paul will be playing Charlie Chaplin, Robert will be playing Mack Sennett, Damaris will be playing Mabel Normand and Alex will be playing Paulette Goddard.

Also in the show are Wessex Harmony, Anna-Maria Geare, James Jones, Geoff King, Dickie Williams, The Pearlies, The Weymouth School of Ballet and Le Companie De Magique. The musical director is John Crocker.

The show will feature songs from Les Miserables, Me and My Girl and Mack and Mabel, as well as dance, comedy and speciality acts.

Variety Showtime is at 7.30pm on Saturday, October 18. Tickets are £10 for adults and £8 for seniors and children and are available from the box office in person or by calling 01305 783225.

They are also available online at weymouthpavilion.com