CommunityAd published an article two years ago, calling upon comedy fans within our community to flock to The Theatre Royal to see the homecoming show of a Margate man dubbed ‘The Comedy Wordsmith’.
As we all know the world has changed a bit since but finally after two years of uncertainty and COVID chaos, Lloyd Hollett will finally be returning to the stage where it all started. In 1990, Thanet born Lloyd Hollett made his stage debut at The Theatre Royal in Margate in their production of the musical Oliver, starring alongside Christopher Beeny. Since his opening night when he first tread the boards, Lloyd now has show business running through his veins and has never looked back.
To celebrate his 30th year in showbiz, Lloyd planned to celebrate this achievement back in May 2020 by returning to the very same stage at The Theatre Royal in Margate for a brand-new show titled ‘Lloyd Hollett Thirty Years In Showbiz’. Sadly, due to the pandemic this date was postponed on several occasions over the past two years. But determined to be loyal to his audience Lloyd will be finally bringing this show to Margate on Saturday 26th March 2022 at the beautiful Theatre Royal.
Lloyd, who now lives in Westgate On Sea with his wife Dannii and three year old daughter Ottilie, has been a regular face on the comedy circuit in those thirty years. He’s completed nineteen consecutive pantomimes, ten of which have been at The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, two at The Theatre Royal Margate and one at The Granville Theatre in Ramsgate.
Working in so many pantos has enabled him to work with the likes of Nigel Havers, Stephen Mulhern, Shaun Williamson, Lee Mead, Sheila Furgeson, Gareth Gates, Dr Ranj, Toyah Wilcox, Samantha Womack, Rita Simons and Bonnie Langford. He has supported Jim Davidson on thirteen separate UK Tours, playing The Winter Gardens in Margate on many occasions. He has produced 2 DVDs, been a regular face across Warner Hotels across the UK and he is also a regular face on the cruise circuit. Frequently taking his act on board such lines such as P&O, Marella and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.
CommunityAd had the pleasure of yet another chat with the former Hartsdown student, and man dubbed ’a linguistic comedy genius’ by Gyles Brandreth and more recently compared to ‘Danny Kaye on acid’ by everyone’s favourite televised Barry, Shaun Williamson.
Apart from this show what’s the longest you’ve waited for something?
The last time I waited this long for something was when my daughter Ottilie was born. She was overdue quite a few days and I thought that was the longest wait of my life but clearly my 30 Years in Showbiz show being delayed many times really tops that.
Great to have you back in the community, what is it about Westgate that makes it such a nice community to be a part of?
Westgate is like a mini city. I love the fact that it has everything from the perfect cinema… its own train station which stops in London… my favourite cafe Staples… a great selection of shops and the perfect beach.
What’s the funniest thing you’ve overheard, or someone’s said to you since moving back to Thanet?
The funniest thing I’ve heard since living in Westgate is there’s a lovely gentleman who’s always outside the Co-op selling The Big Issue and every time I walk past he always tells me I’m Jon Bon Jovi. Every time without fail. He greets me as Jon Bon Jovi. I’ve got so used to it by now. I’m actually starting to think that I am Jon Bon Jovi. Good job I know the lyrics to Living On A Prayer otherwise things could turn quite awkward.
What can the audience expect come March 26th?
The show will include a lot of stories, anecdotes, backstage gossip from 30 years in show business plus a tonne of new material which is guaranteed to make you laugh. And after the last 2 years we’ve all been through, do we need to laugh more than ever? I think we do!