Variety Theatre has a rich history dating back to the old music hall traditions of the 19^th and 20^th centuries. The shows became wildly popular due to the diverse mix of act, designed to appeal to a wide range of audience tastes. Over time, Variety Theatre would evolve with the influence of modern entertainment – making way for Variety TV shows and talent competitions.
Variety Theatre is defined by its eclectic mix of performance types. Diverse talents are combined into a single specially curated performance, each giving a different style and form of entertainment.

Read more: How To Create a Successful Variety Show

Types of Variety Theatre Performances

What kinds of acts might you expect to see in a Variety Theatre show?

Musical Acts

A blend of music and drama – musical acts often tell a short story through songs and choreography.

Comedy Routines

This could mean stand-up comedy, improv or scripted sketches aimed to have the audience in stitches.

Magic Shows

Magicians create a sense of wonder and sometimes bafflement. They may perform sleight of hand, mentalism or other sticks and illusions.

Dance Performances

There is a huge range of dance styles to cover. Ballet, jazz, hip-hop or even cultural dances can express emotions or stories.

Circus Acts

Circus acts include juggling, acrobatics, clowning or even displaying physical feats, like strength of contortionism.

Theatrical Sketches

Performing short, scripted scenes within a Variety Show is a great way to test out a script in the works. A short impactful piece of drama is also an excellent way for performers to put their skills to the test without the full commitments of an entire show.

Puppetry/Ventriloquism

Puppets have been used to delight and entertain the masses for hundreds of years. Love them or hate them. And entriloquism remains an impressive skill, often with a humorous twist.

Cabaret/Burlesque

These performances combine elements of theatre, dance and song, often having a provocative edge, celebrating the glamour of their time in a playful way. Burlesque can be of a more risqué nature, if your Variety Show is aimed at younger audiences then discussions should be had to ensure everything is age appropriate.

Drag

Pop culture has iconised Drag Queen performances over the years. Performances are vibrant, often mixing comedy, art and lip-synching. As with burlesque, drag is often risqué. But many performances can be made appropriate for audiences of all ages with some discussion.

Themed Shows

Another popular variation on Variety Theatre is a themed show. This could be something like ‘Back to the 90’s’ or ‘Best of the 70’s’ and will typically mostly consist of musical and dance performances. Having a theme helps the planning of marketing, staging, costumes and visuals come together, and provides a bit more consistency in what the audience might expect.

 

Benefits of Variety Theatre

Cultural Exposure / Educational

Variety theatre can be utilised as a platform for cultural exposure and education. Audiences and performers can immerse themselves in diverse performance types that they may not have initially sought out and expand their artistic horizons.

Fun and Engaging

The audience is kept on their toes, from one act to the next. Interactive elements keep them entertained throughout. For younger audiences, the shorter performances will keep their attention better and offer a gateway into enjoying the arts as they grow.

Community Involvement

Variety Theatre fosters support for the arts and provides a platform for local performers to showcase their talents to wider audience.

Creativity

Many performers will use a Variety Theatre as a way to explore new creative avenues. This encourages creativity and experimentation within your performing arts community.

There’s something for everyone

When you have a wide array of skills and talents on display, you are catering to a diverse audience. Variety ensures that every attendee finds something that they enjoy.

Collaboration

Variety Theatre also facilitates community between different types of performers

Next Steps?

Next Steps? Get planning! Variety Theatre is perfect for bringing together all different types of talent – and great for various different levels. Whether you’re trying to engage young performers or looking showcase an array of local talent. Check out our advice on creating your own Variety Show and get started.

And don’t forget, if you’re planning on including singers or choirs in your variety show – you’ll probably want to have sheet music or lyrics on hand for rehearsals. Stay compliant with copyright law by making sure all your sheet music and lyrics are ethically obtained, you can hire or purchase sheet music with lyrics for each singer, or obtain a PMLL Amateur Group Singing Licence to allow you to legally photocopy copies for rehearsals.

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