Vaudville

by Lee Kolozsy

Vaudville didn't die...

It was murdered...

The same thing killed vaudville that is killing the fair business...

Poor Showmanship...

The real talent in vaude moved on to film, radio, and eventually television...

I recently posted an article recounting my visit to the Florida State Fair. 

Every example of good Showmanship at the fair was somehow or other undermined 

by the blind and remorsless machinations of the rules and regs mentality of the 

administration...

The very popularity and success of an entertainment form is usually what causes the 

secondary wave of parasitic "front office" types to put themselves in power and 

thereby gain control...

A great show cannot be put on by talentless clerks who simply don't get it...

It is indeed possible to put on a "formula" show, but these are seldom memorable. 

The public tires of crap quickly...

A great show is an inspired work fired by passion and must be a labor of love 

to become art...

In Europe, circus performers are called "Artists"...

There is definitely room for more than singing, dancing, and telling jokes in 

entertainment...

Street performance, magic, circus, the sideshow, punch and judy, it's all evolving...

The people love it...

The venues and routines are different, but the concept is still the same...

I think it's time for lobby acts in multiplex theatres...