Ann Montini is often referred to as a star-maker. A professional performer herself, Ann now directs the famous Variety Express, a show featuring the best in young talent appearing at venues across the country. Isobel Fox discovered how Ann and the Variety Express helps dozens of youngsters on their way to stardom.

THE UPSTAIRS room in Ann Montini's house is covered wall to wall with pictures of stars.

Norman Wisdom, Dame Thora Hird and John Inman are just a sample of the showbiz personalities pictured with smiling faces, their arms around Ann.

For Ann is no stranger to the glitzy, glamorous world of showbusiness. Now in her 50s, she still treads the boards in the guise of Music Hall maestro Marie Lloyd, singing her favourite classics of the era to packed audiences.

And not only is she a star in her own right, she's also been known as a star-maker - her world famous Variety Express show has helped dozens of youngsters establish themselves on the showbiz circuit.

Born into a big showbusiness family herself, Ann's musical career began at the tender age of four-years-old.

Ann remembers: "My mum came home one day and just announced that I was to sing that Saturday at St Francis' Hall and that I was to get all the words right and that was that.

"I sang Galway Bay in front of an Irish audience. All I can remember is everyone holding hankies. I remember thinking that it was normal for everyone to cry when they heard me sing. Of course they were just thinking about the memories and not crying at my singing!"

From there, Ann's career went from strength to strength. She joined a Concert Party - a group of people who toured the country giving performances in concert and parish halls.

From there she became one of Francis Laidler's famous Sunbeams for a year, until her height got the better of her and she was forced to leave because she was too tall. But that didn't stop her and she continued to sing at every available venue until she reached the age of 15 and she decided to go professional.

"This marked my launch on the club scene," says Ann.

"It was great fun and such a good grounding for later performances. It was like having a new career in the clubs. They weren't like they are now - in those days you could take your whole family along. It was real entertainment."

After five years, Ann progressed to other venues and it was while she was haggling over the price of how much she was going to get paid to appear in one of the district's theatres that she met husband Alan Scott.

Alan booked acts for theatres and he was the man Ann was haggling with over the price of how much she was to be paid for the evening. He was also the man behind the Variety Express - a touring company which laid on spectacular variety concerts throughout the country. Founded in 1959, it is the same Variety Express which Ann directs today.

Ann and Alan were married in 1962. After a short career break while she had her son, Mark, it was straight back down to business for Ann who started helping husband Alan out with the running of the Variety Express, which is based on Sunday Night at the London Palladium. And it's a job she's still doing today with enormous success.

Dozens of aspiring youngsters now come to Ann's Mirfield home to try out for the Variety Express displaying their various acts and talents.

"We've got everything from a man who plays a 14ft tuba to dancers and singers," says Ann.

"I see a lot of youngsters, but one thing they must have is talent. What we're doing is giving the youngsters a chance, an opportunity to get on in the world of showbusiness. They have their ability and we have the ability to get them where they need to be."

At the end of October, dozens of performers will travel with the Variety Express on a coach to the Hackney Empire in London, where they will perform to a packed audience.

As well as being musical director for the show, Ann will also take to the stage in the guise of Marie Lloyd to sing her repertoire of music hall songs.

"They once called me a star maker but all we're doing is giving young people a chance, provided they're good enough.

"We do look after everyone who performs for us. All we tell them is that they're not performing for their mums and dads and they've become professionals for the day. I always say just go out there and smile and the rest will follow."

For Ann, who is about to release a CD of Cliff Richard's We Don't Talk Anymore with compere Neil Sean, variety is a way of life and it's something she's not prepared to give up without a fight.

"The Variety Express is booked up right until December 2000 and it's definitely something we're going to carry on with," says Ann.

"Even if I can't perform any more I'll still be musical director.

"People say variety is dead but we still get the audiences. We charge sensible prices, a lot lower than other performers. It's a good night out."

ANN is now on the look-out for a ventriloquist or acrobat to join the Variety Express. Anyone interested in auditioning should contact her on 01924 497735.

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