Diana Dors backstage being interviewed by the JEP’s Tony Webster, who described her performance as “polished”. He said she was there “in her real-life guise as a sex symbol turned straight actress who quickly dispelled any doubts people might have had that she couldn’t do cabaret” Pictures: JERSEY EVENING POST PHOTOGRAPHIC ARCHIVE COLLECTION/JERSEY HERITAGE

“THE word summer,” Jersey Evening Post showbiz correspondent Tony Webster declared in his column in 1973, “is synonymous with cabaret.”

And in that era, there were plenty to choose from. One of the venues to host live entertainment was the New Mediterranean, a popular nightspot on the Five Mile Road – once the area to go for Islanders and tourists seeking a fun evening out.

Andy Feet keeps the audience amused with his “hilarious zany humours” while they wait for the big star of the night, Matt Monro

With a varied line-up of comedians, singers and dancers, the New Mediterranean also played host to some of the stars of the UK entertainment scene in the 1970s and early 80s. Celebrity appearances included Diana Dors, Nicholas Parsons, Ted Rogers, Matt Monro, the Krankies, Dustin Gee and David Copperfield.

Comedian Ted Rogers “went down a proverbial storm” at the New Mediterranean on 29 April 1977, beginning with localised routines about Jersey that he and his writer, Wally Malston, had put the finishing touches to in his dressing room before going on. “An immaculately dressed entertainer, he achieved an instant rapport with his audience, and held them in the palm of his hand before finally leaving the stage while bathed in perspiration,” wrote Tony Webster, who also praised the other acts on that night – “a straightforward singer with a powerful voice (Jimy Mack), a memory man with a New Faces success behind him (Graham P Jolley) and a songstress with a bubbling personality (Sandra Sinclair)”. He also praised resident accompanists, the Colin Hilton Duo, as ”one of the best organ/drums outfit around”

Resident singer Jimmy Mack was the compère for a lot of the big shows. “As always he was very well dressed,” Tony Webster wrote of Jimmy in his review of Ted Rogers’ show in 1977, “and as always his voice was perfect.”

Resident singer Jimmy Mack performs on 20 April 1977, the night on which he also compèred the show featuring Matt Monro

The venue’s cabarets were put on by Jimmy Muir, who also owned the Sunshine Hotel at Havre des Pas.

New Mediterranean pictured in August 1978. (37052037)

The Muir family sold the New Mediterranean in 1984 and the site is now occupied by Jersey Pearl.

Diana Dors on stage at the New Mediterranean in May 1977 Pictures: JERSEY EVENING POST PHOTOGRAPHIC ARCHIVE COLLECTION/JERSEY HERITAGE

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