JUST a handful of tickets remain for the hometown return performance of a Thurrock entertainer set to delight local youngsters at the Thameside Theatre.

Former Grays School student Nick Nolan is a comedian, magician and ventriloquist who will bring his 'Fabulous February Nicky Trix show' to the Thameside on Orsett Road in Grays on Tuesday, 20 February.

Nick has now been a professional entertainer for 17 years, after dreaming of becoming a stage performer as far back as being a four-year-old in Grays.

Nick spoke about his early years at Tudor Court Primary School, in Chafford Hundred, and told Thurrock Nub News: "I was never interested in football or sports like many of the boys at my school. I was fascinated with puppets, magic, pantomime, Halloween and the land of make believe.

"At the age of four, my late grandmother took me shopping.

"As we walked in to the shopping centre I heard a squeak and a squawking sound. I was greeted by a large red and white booth and a red nosed jester like character puppet was performing to a crowd of parents and children.

"This was of course Mr Punch, in a Punch and Judy Show performed by the award-winning magician, magic editor, author and one time pitchman Walt Lees. I was hooked, I loved every bit of it.

"The slapstick comedy, the colours, not forgetting all the different voices and puppets.

"Walt also performed a bit of magic, balloon modelling and juggling, an all rounder as such! My family all chipped in and bought me various puppets and tricks for Birthdays and Christmas and before I knew it, I was performing my first paid show in someone's back garden for £20.

"Later, I was mentored by a brilliant children's entertainer called Shaun Papworth, AKA Papalarny, who really ironed out the creases of my act."

Nick pays tribute to his family, particularly his grandparents, for supporting him through childhood and his early years.

He added: "I was always very fortunate to have an incredibly supportive mother, grandmother and grandfather who always believed in what I wanted to do.

"They never told me what to do, they just let me get on with it! My childhood was spent being taken to circuses, pantomimes, holiday parks and theatres.

"I have fond memories of my grandparents sitting me in front of the television and naming all of the legendary comedians, with a full back story of when they saw them live back in the good old days of variety!

Tommy Cooper and Roger De Courcey - inspirational figures for Nick

"People like Tommy Cooper, Bernie Clifton, Basil Brush, Keith Harris, Ray Alan, Roger De Courcey, Nina Conti, Paul Zerdin to name but a few. I was always heavily inspired with my facial expressions and cheeky lines by watching countless Carry On films and CBBC's "The Slammer" featuring the brilliant Ted Rogers, plus many brilliant variety acts that featured weekly on the programme.

"It was a real education in the early 2000s!"

Nick's return to the Thameside will bring him back before many first-viewing youngsters, which he described as a delight, but he also loves sharing memories with old folk.

He said: "Truth be told, I adore making people smile and get a huge buzz from performing. The adrenaline of walking in to a theatre and setting up, knowing that in a few hours there's going to be seats full of people from so many different forms of life, all coming together to support theatre and enjoy themselves. I couldn't imagine doing anything else.

"I regularly have parents and grandparents come up to me at the end of performances to tell me that they had as much fun as their children and haven't laughed so much in ages. I think that's the best part of my job really, taking adults back to their childhood."

Nick's shows are a mix of his entertaining skills.

He says: "My magic is first and foremost comedy driven. I strive to make the youngest of children laugh, right up to fully grown adults. I also use music and sound effects extensively throughout my act to give it a bit of an edge!

"I have always tried to keep my material as original as possible and am fortunate enough to work regularly with Scott Penrose, past president of The Magic Circle, as my magic consultant and props builder.

"The star of the show is without fail Nambu the elephant. He's been my right-hand man, literally for as long as I can remember and has appeared in countless productions around the country.

"Depending on the theme of the production that I'm performing in, I also regularly use other puppet characters alongside Nambu. Fun fact, I also collect vintage puppets and ventriloquist figures. Some of which date back over 100 years!"

There are just a handful of tickets left for Nick's latest show and they are available through the Thameside online booking service: https://thameside-tickets.thamesidetheatre.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173651124