IT STARTED out as a concert party almost 10 years ago and is now quite simply perhaps the best known and best regarded cabaret group in the area.

Miscellany was the brainchild of inspirational music teacher Cath Stevenson who is also well-known as a musical director for amateur operatic societies and as an accompanist – currently for Millhouse Green Male Voice Choir. What can’t Shepley-based Cath do?

When it comes to music and entertaining people, Cath and her Miscellany team have it taped.

She’s gathered together a group of amateur musicians, singers and performers not just from Huddersfield but from across the region.

There are currently 15 of them, all marked out by their very high standards of performance and musical ability.

Miscellany plays everything from festivals and community centres to village halls and residential homes. Whatever the venue, the aim is the same. To entertain.

Current performers come from Huddersfield, Brighouse, Leeds, Wakefield and Barnsley and include top quality singers such as Huddersfield’s Julia Garbutt plus the town’s Gina Cook and Marina Haigh, known for their comedy classics.

There are also singers from male voice choirs plus a number of musicians. And if you like a good monologue, they have performers who can deliver those too.

The group has about a dozen bookings already this year. In an average year, they will double that.

On offer is music, monologues and plenty of comedy.

Rehearsals are held in Birdsedge and Cath, as well as being the group’s founder and musical director, also does all the company’s musical arrangements. Her husband Geoff, well-known for his backstage work with many of the town’s operatic companies, stage manages for Miscellany.

This is a close-knit team then put together by Cath from among the many performers she has worked with over the years.

The programmes they offer are often themed. Last year, for obvious reasons it was Happy And Glorious. This year there will be Movie Moments.

But Miscellany is nothing if not adaptable and whether you want a full cabaret team or a smaller group, they will devise a programme to suit. Fancy a Slice Of Miscellany?

This summer, the company’s diary includes a trip to the Grassington Festival Fringe in June.

If you want some of our best local performers at your event, contact Miscellany by email at@miscellany-live.com