Prior to the recent introduction of popular high quality television talent programmes designed to provide a showcase for theatrical and musical flair, previous generations of aspiring performers were forced to travel a far more critical and demanding path to demonstrate their talents. These venues included private and cabaret clubs where audiences could be severe in the extreme and acts were required to hone their performance skills in order to survive. Those performers who were successful might achieve acceptance onto one of the earlier, more basic, talent shows that started on TV in the...