In this article, evidence relating to the perceived significance and overall provision of seaside entertainment in contemporary Britain is reviewed. If, as is claimed, entertainment is influential in the fortunes of seaside resorts, it is necessary to consider the supply of that product. In particular, we assess the nature and extent of live entertainment in one seaside resort, along with prospects for its future.

There is a large and apparently thriving entertainment industry in Blackpool, which is the largest seaside resort in the United Kingdom and has always been a place for an exciting, exuberant, and lively holiday rather than a peaceful, relaxing one. It should be remembered, also, that live shows for vacationers are produced in nearly all of the seaside resorts in the country. There seems little doubt from the Blackpool study that live shows continue to be regarded as an integral part of a holiday. Most vacationers do attend a show, and they are more likely to do so when on holiday than when at home.

Given that live entertainment continues to be important within tourism, it needs to be acknowledged that tourism itself has a particular significance for live entertainment. Live entertainment has experienced considerable problems related to the growth of home-based leisure technology such as television, video, and computer. The seaside resort in the United Kingdom, by providing venues for performers, may be a factor in the survival of live entertainment. The problems faced by live entertainment at the seaside are therefore of concern from a wider cultural perspective: the decline in the number of shows may be restricting the training ground for new talent. (p. 296, 302, 305)

CONTENTS
Entertainment and resort decline.
Holiday-makers in audiences.
Significance of entertainment.
The provisioning of seaside entertainment in the United Kingdom.
The entertainment industry in Blackpool.
Providers.
Productions.
Promotion.
The changing environment.
Hotel entertainment.
Conclusions.
Notes.
References [bibliography].