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Hi Guys,

Well, i left school about 10 weeks ago, and in that time ive had no employment other than working in my corner shop most mornings. I applied for an apprentiship with BT, so far i dont know if my interview was sucessful as 8 people were going for the 1 job. For this reason, i decided that i would see what i could get which was entertainment based, and being a fan of Butlins sine the age of 4, i decided to fill in an enquiry form into becoming a Redcoat at Skegness.

My question is, does anyone here have or know anyone with experience of working at Butlins as part of the entertainment, beit a redcoat or other. Your responce and experiences will be welcome.

Cheers Guys

Mark
*Red Rolo has many friends, many friends has reeeeeeed rolo! I am one of them, and so are you!* sorry, went off on one then

I have not worked at Butlins but friends have. It is very competitive to get into. Many thousands apply for only a few spaces. They said being a redcoat was very hard work and hours were very long. They look for people who are allround entertainers, singing and dancing, you will find that some went to stage school or did perfoming arts degrees at university. I don't know about getting the odd gig or a summer season contract as a magician, i am trying to go down this route myself so the best of luck to you.

The entertainments teams for Bourne Leisure (Bourne own Butlins, Haven and some others) must be aged 18 or over, I'm afraid, Mark. There's no specifics to get in, but if you're more than comfortable on a stage then you have an advantage over the 'wannabes.'

As Stephen said - I'm not sure how the stats work for Butlins, but we were told, as Haven entertainers, that there were over 5,000 people waiting for one of our jobs.

Also, because there are so many that want to work there, they pay you peanuts.

In fact, I think peanuts would have been preferable to the paltry amount I got paid...

However, it is the best job in the world, and I'll never ever forget my days as a holiday park entertainer. There is nothing more satisfying.

Did I ever mention that Haven awarded me with 'Havenmate of the Year 2003?' The directors at Bourne Leisure deemed me their best resident entertainer, on their parks, in the country! I have a huge trophy and everything!

Sorry to blow my own trumpet, but no-one else will...

Mark - You'll never stand a chance of getting if you don't apply .

I've no experience of holiday camps but would have thought that having good magic skills will be more of a rarity that singing and dancing etc.

As Zack has said, you have experience already which should / will give you the edge over the wannabes so nothing ventured, nothing gained, as the saying goes.

I think that a lot of companies tell you a few white lies about having thousands of people waiting in the wings but perhaps not as many as they try to make out. Still, if you put a price on the experience you'll gain then it becomes much more attreactive, particularly being away from home with your food and accomodation thrown in.

I wish I was 18 again

dat8962 wrote:I've no experience of holiday camps but would have thought that having good magic skills will be more of a rarity that singing and dancing etc.

I completely didn't even think about the magic side of things! (Stupid Zack - what's the name of this forum again!?)

If/when you decide to go to audition for a holiday park, they normally audition you on stage, along with a one-to-one interview - I sang as my audition piece, others held like a kids' 'make-and-do' session, one guy did stand-up comedy - with a five or ten minute MAGIC act of your own they'd be more than happy to have you on board! A resident entertainer with his own act will be treated like gold-dust. The rest of us were just doing something we thought we'd be good at.

I'd recommend you start buying The Stage weekly newspaper (out every Thursday, about £1 - your newsagent will order this in for you and keep it to one side, too), and, at least for now, keep your eye on what kind of auditions are going around at the moment.

The holiday parks will start advertising from October/November onwards, and auditions are held normally in January and February, unless you're looking further afield and want to go abroad.

If you want more specifics, then this is the Bourne Leisure address to write to:

The Entertainment Casting Co-ordinator
Bourne Leisure
1 Park Lane
Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire
HP2 4YL

The guy who was the ECC when I was there was Mr Simon Morgan (an absolute diamond of a guy), but to be on the safe side, don't include his name just in case things have changed.

Hope that's of some help, Mark.

Mark if you want the job you will get it. My business partner is an ex red-coat I'll ask him, in fact he is on this board somewhere I think his handle might be coinlover he doesn't post much here.

Thanks for the advice guys, will give me something to concentrate on when i get home from Ireland!

Hi Mark,
I have recently left butlins after being there for 3yrs as a redcoat. What i would say is right now you are to young you cannot start as a red untill you are at least 18. I am not really a singer or dancer and i still had an amazing time as a redcoat a also never went to uni or college to stusy drama or what ever i just auditioned worked very hard and was lucky enough to get the job. it isnt all glamorous as some people think it is extremely hard work. not only do you work very long hours you also have to deal with some of the rudest people you will probably ever come across. the money isnt brilliant but your accom is included when you live on site. Some people think you will meet a lot of famous people to this is also not really true not unless your there for quite a while... however despite these little bits it is one of the best things i have ever done and wouldnt change a min of it. No one can tell you how to audition it should just be you being yourself.. if you cant dance have a laugh with it show them some magic and have fun! they dont look for the next best thing there looking for personality and no college or uni can give you that.
hope this helps a bit
GOOD LUCK

I could tell you about my experience with a redcoat but I don't think that's what you're looking for.

Good luck with whatever you do!