Colin Bourdiec

Description

1940’s ENSA-TAINER
Colin Bourdiec, UK’s premiere George Formby Impersonator and ENSAtainer performing on original 1930 ukes, Gibson and Ludwigs.
Reliving the music of George Formby and WW2 Variety artists through ENSA in authentic uniforms to compliment fellow re-enactors.
Colin is one of the only Song and Dance men reliving the age of Variety and Vaudeville.
Colin, is a member of the George Formby Society and the British Music Hall Society. Ambassador of the ENSA MEMORIAL APPEAL.
I have just added a 1940’s style magic act using original magic from that period. I am also ... a professional stage and parlour magician.
Colin pays tribute to the following:
George Formby
Billy Uke Scott
Arthur Askey
Tommy Trinder
Max Miller
Leslie Sarony
Wilson, Keppel & Betty
Fred Astaire
Gene Kelly
Al Jolson
Captain Mainwaring
Colin also has a extensive collection of ENSA memorabilia that he can display for events.
Colin is performing as Captain Mainwaring on the Salute to the 1940’s Dads Army Special see pics below.
Just added a 1938 Austin 10 Cambridge available to bring to 1940’s events.
DAD’S ARMY
In 2016 I was invited to play the part of Captain Mainwaring, in Groovy Gazza’s tour of the UK, Salute to the 1940’s Dads Army Special. This has been a great experience working with some great actors and performers.
I look forward to performing in the near future.
Check below for pictures of the company and myself.
PANTOMIME DAME
Just recently finished playing Mother Goose, in a professional production of “Mother Goose’ in Billingham and Thornaby, Stockton. Check out my gallery page to see pictures, will be uploading a showreel very soon.
1950’S & 1960’S
I can cover music of all periods but over the last few years I have started to add the guitar to my act, and found that I enjoyed playing songs from the 1950’s & 60’s and had the please of performing this style of music at the 2017 Cosford RAF Air Show.
I have also added the Banjo into the act covering the music of Lonnie Donegan to name a few.
MAGICIAN
I have been involved in magic since I was a child, I first performed magic as Children’s entertainer for Warner Holiday in 1982, in 1984 was asked by as Holiday park I was working at if I knew a magician and put myself forward and recreated my stage magic act in which during the performance I would produce my Jack Russell dog called Abra, props bought from the Magic Box in Shanklin, I also worked for the son of Jack Hughes, dealing and demonstrating magic in his shop.
The stage act continued to grow and I became a member of the Newcastle Magic Circle and the Northern Magic Circle.
I built my own illusions and used to work under the name of the Lyndini Magic Company along with my late wife Lynn.
While cruising for P&O I would very often organise close up magic evenings with the magicians who were working on board.
I am pleased to say that I am still performing my Stage Magic Act and especially using vintage magic props that I have collected. Although I can do close up magic, but prefer to perform Stage or Parlour Magic.
My magic act is for all ages and consists of:
Card Magic
Illusions
Comedy Magic
Mentalism
Silk Magic
UKULELE FESTIVAL CABARET AND WORKSHOPS
I had pleasure this year to be invited to play at the North Tyneside Ukulele Festival. It was a great opportunity to play the songs of George Formby to fellow ukulele players.
I am also available to do workshops on the techniques of playing in the George Formby Style as well as lecturing on Ukulele Heroes.
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Biography

Colin Bourdiec was born in Cardiff, and moved to Llanbradach at the age of three.
He was educated at Lewis Boys Comprehensive School.
He first put his foot on the professional stage at the age of 13 working with his father, he then started to study dance and trained at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff until the age of 16 when he was given the opportunity to study for three years at the Merseyside Dance Centre, studying Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz and National Dance.
Colin left there and continued his career working in Major Holiday Centres, Theatres and the Cabaret Circuit. Colin was c ... ompetent Song and Dance Man and later adding Magic and the Ukulele to his act. Colin appeared in Summer Seasons, Musical Theatre, Television and Pantomimes.
In 1990 he joined P&O Cruises and worked his way through the ranks to become a Cruise Director and spent 13 years at sea. Colin left P&O due to family illness and was brought in to choreograph a charity show for the borough and this led to working with the Nearly Famous Performing Arts Group, which led eventually to the creation of the South Tyneside Academy of Musical Production in 2006 which he is now the managing director.
Colin returned to education and went to Sunderland University and qualified with a BA Hons in Community and Youth Work. And is in the middle of studying to be an accountant. Colin also teaches ukulele in primary and junior schools in the borough and also runs the North East Branch of the George Formby Society, he is also the UK’s foremost George Formby Tribute.
Colin has just been made an Ambassador of the ENSA MEMORIAL APPEAL. And is honoured to be part of this charity to raise money to get a monument to the entertainers that performed during WW2. Read More

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Experience

I have now been a performer over 45 years, as started at a very young age. I was a trained dancer and worked my way up through variety. I have worked some of the major holiday centres and theatres. I worked for P&O Cruises for 13 years as a Cruise Director.

Previous Clients

Butlins, Warners, Groovy Gazza Productions, Inspire Productions, P&O Cruises, Bourne Leisure, Trafford Parnell Productions

Suitable for

Birthday Party (Adult) Charity / Fundraising Event Christening Christmas Party Cocktail Party / Drinks Reception Community Event Concerts / Tours Corporate Event Cruise Ships Dinner Party HM Forces/Army/Navy/Military Event Holiday / Theme Parks Nursing / Care Home Event Private Party Product Launch / Promotion Theaters / Stage Trade Show / Exhibitions

Additional Information

I have public liability and I am DBS Checked. I am also a member of the Newcastle Magic Circle

Virtual Services Offer

Ukulele Lessons

I am available for online ukulele lessons specialising on the George Formby Style.