Funny Girls

Funny Girls is a burlesque cabaret showbar on the North Shore of Blackpool, England. It is owned by Basil Newby. The cast of the show comprise male dancers and drag performers. The showbar is in what was once the Blackpool Odeon, which was Odeon's largest original cinema in the United Kingdom.

This article is about a burlesque showbar in Blackpool, UK. For the New Zealand TV series, see Funny Girls (TV series). For other uses, see Funny Girl (disambiguation).
Funny Girls
Funny Girls
Location in Blackpool
Former namesBlackpool Odeon
Address5 Dickson Road
LocationBlackpool, Lancashire, England
Coordinates53.8211°N 3.0515°W / 53.8211; -3.0515
OwnerBasil Newby
OperatorBasil Newby
TypeShowbar
Construction
Opened6 May 1939 (1939-05-06)
Renovated2002
Website
www.funnygirlsshow.co.uk

Venue

The cinema was built to a design by Robert Bullivant from Harry Weedon's firm and opened on 6 May 1939. It eventually had a capacity of over 3,000, being the largest original Odeon cinema. It was converted into a 3-screen cinema in 1975 and in 1994, the building was registered as a Grade II listed building.[1] The cinema closed on 5 December 1998.[2][3]

When Basil Newby took over the old Odeon in 2002, he had it re-decorated in the traditional Art Deco style, and had both seating balcony and stalls changed into standing and seating areas for observing the show, as well as building several bars and a restaurant. In 2019, Thwaites Brewery took over the venue but sold it back to Newby later that year.[2][4]

Cast

Betty Legs Diamond Star of the show, choreographer and original 'Funny Girl'

DJ Zoe is the compere at Funny Girls

The Funny Girls cast have performed at various platforms including the Royal Variety Performance twice,[5][6] they have also appeared in various television shows either to be interviewed, or where the Funny Girls showbar itself has been the backdrop, such as in the BBC Drama Blackpool.

Critical reception

Blackpool can still lead the way. Look at Funny Girls - it's the best show in the country. there is no place like it to celebrate a special occasion. There's still nothing like it anywhere else!

— Jim Davidson, Blackpool Gazette[7]

References
  1. Historic England, "Odeon Cinema (1225407)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 12 November 2020
  2. "Funny Girls". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  3. "Bingo $112,000,000 Pastime in Britain". Variety. 5 July 1961. p. 1.
  4. Graves, James (8 August 2019). "Baz Is Back! Legendary club owner Basil Newby buys back his 'beloved' Funny Girls". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  5. , IMDb listing for Royal Variety Performers 2005
  6. , IMDb listing for Royal Variety Performers 2004
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-09-02. Retrieved 2007-03-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link), Official ITP Website
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