CHRISTMAS is nearly here and everyone is getting into the spirit to enjoy the festive season.

Marketeers Carnival Club’s Ho! Ho! Ho! Cabaret took to the stage at Chilton Trinity Technical College on Saturday, December 13, playing to a capacity hall.

Master of ceremonies was compere Kevin Kaye, with a considerable amount of experience on the circuit and a relaxed attitude to the proceedings.

The first act he introduced was vocalist Suzy Hopwood, kicking off with “Young Heart,” “Under the Moon of Love” and “Will you still love me tomorrow?”

A good start to the evening but I would have liked to have seen some more modern numbers to complement the excellent classics in her repertoire.

Extreme juggler, Phil Blackmore, certainly did bring some excitement to the stage as he balanced on a free standing ladder as he juggled.

Other apparatus used were a sword, a bowling ball and a jelly baby!

Phil was very clever incorporating members of the audience to volunteer, as he went along, mounting a unicycle and swinging clubs in the air.

At one point he balanced a stand on his chin with four spinning plates, plus hula hoop around his waist, a ball spinning on his finger and two hoops in the other hand – talk about multi skilled!

Climax of his act was a death defying juggle with three firing chainsaws!

He received well earned hearty applause bringing the first half to a close.

Kevin Kaye returned to stage and delivered a slick act of one liners and funny stories.

His style was reminiscent of the amazing late Frank Carson, who was the master of one-liners.

Bringing members of the audience to their feet was the final act, ‘Help,’ a Beatles tribute band.

The songs of the amazing four are always popular and enjoyed were “Hard Day’s Night,” “All my Loving” and “Please, please me.”

The evening ended all too soon and as the raffle was drawn for the enticing food hampers, everyone prepared to make for home after their evening of entertainment and being put in the right frame of mind for the forthcoming festivities.

Spring Showcase will be the next Marketeers presentation on March 7.