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Cruises + Cabaret
Cabaret
Since his days of studying in London, in the late 1980's, William has always been drawn to cabaret and comedy shows, enjoying many of the diverse cabaret artists that London had to offer. He marvelled at the acts who relied on ab-lib delivery.
After being invited up spontaneously in other peoples shows as a special guest from the audience, he eventually developed his confidence and skills to the extent that he took the plunge and put on his own show. This eventually led to residencies in the major hotel chains such as Warners and Shearings, where he was able to hone his skills at 'working the crowd' and his act became much more slick and well paced.
On the comedy circuit in the early 1990's he was the regular Sunday host at the Comedy Cafe, Rivington Street, London, where his quick fire repartee and comedy brain were regularly put to the test, working with many of the leading 'Comedy Store' acts of the day. He also worked with the BBC Elstree Concert Band in charity concerts at Westminster Central Hall, on the bill with the likes of Martin Clunes, Rory Bremner, John Bird and John Sessions for the Born Free Foundation. He met Leslie Crowther at a charity ball who invited him to appear in cabaret shows in Bath.
Devonshire Park Theatre
Eastbourne
CONCERT HAD SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.
With Glyndebourne Opera as just one of the places he has sung, Will Allenby sang a varied selection of songs including Phantom of the Opera. He has an extremely strong voice and is quite a comedian too!
Eastbourne Herald
From 1993-1999 the world of opera beckoned and he worked consistently, gaining experience with some prestigious companies such as Glyndebourne, D'Oyly Carte Opera, Opera North and Scottish Opera, building his experience and repertoire.
Will Allenby, live at The Albany
Sussex Variety and Music Hall Society
Will Allenby (baritone vocalist) took over for the second part of the evening and started his programme with music from South Pacific and several Howard Keel numbers. Will also serenaded two members who had been married 62 years with the theme song from 'Love Story'. His experience on the musical stage also encompasses Opera and frequent guest appearances on Friday Night is Music Night, and for his finale sang lovely arrangements of 'O Sole Mio' and 'With a Song in my Heart', so ending a great first night, Live at The Albany
Sussex Variety and Music Hall Society (Doreen wake)
Cruises
In 2000 while singing in an opera 'Cavalleria Rusticana' in Ho chi Min City in Vietnam, he met Gillian Humphreys who runs the Concordia Foundation. In addition to the Foundations' work in the field of classical music, Concordia were also regular performers on the major cruise lines such a Cunard and Seabourn. He was invited to become part of a classical vocal quartet on the QE2 Christmas Cruise and his love of cabaret was rekindled, watching the 'headline acts', such as Des O'Connor, and the comedian Duggie Brown. He swiftly put together his own show based on his appearances on BBC Radios 'Friday Night is Music Night' and his career in cruising began.
Noordam (Holland America) 2007
We adored Will Allenby
Cruise Critic
To date, he has given over 400 performances of his one-man shows in some of the most lavish theatres at sea. He was honoured to be invited to take his show onto the Queen Mary 2 in her inaugural season, following Dame Shirley Bassey, and his show was also chosen for the inaugural cruise of the Sea Princess. By a quirk of fate, he shared cruise billing with Duggie Brown on many occasions, as well as Des O'Connor, Jane Macdonald, the Grumbleweeds, Tommy Tune, Tom O'Connor, Pat Mooney, Paul Zerdin, and Will's great friend, the fabulous Mel Mellers.
To date, the cruise lines he has worked for include;
Balmoral (Fred Olsen) 2009
Entertainment was average to good, with the notable exception of baritone Will Allenby
Cruise Review
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