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| The stars of the switch-on | The stars of the switch-on |
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| The town of Portishead chose a humble Homebase worker to switch on its Christmas lights, Bath struck it lucky by getting Nicolas Cage and Birmingham hit trouble when they got the excessively popular JLS in. But why has this Christmas ritual assumed such importance? | The town of Portishead chose a humble Homebase worker to switch on its Christmas lights, Bath struck it lucky by getting Nicolas Cage and Birmingham hit trouble when they got the excessively popular JLS in. But why has this Christmas ritual assumed such importance? |
| The routine is something like this. | The routine is something like this. |
| On a date that seems obscenely far from Christmas, often near the beginning of November, thousands of townsfolk gather for the great festive lights switch-on. | On a date that seems obscenely far from Christmas, often near the beginning of November, thousands of townsfolk gather for the great festive lights switch-on. |
| There's a countdown and then the energy-guzzling display flickers into life. | There's a countdown and then the energy-guzzling display flickers into life. |
| The master of ceremonies is usually a local radio DJ, who leads the proceedings watched by the great and the good, mayors and council leaders rubbing shoulders with regional development quango bosses and chamber of commerce reps. | The master of ceremonies is usually a local radio DJ, who leads the proceedings watched by the great and the good, mayors and council leaders rubbing shoulders with regional development quango bosses and chamber of commerce reps. |
| Pantos have got tickets to sell and have to appeal to the local audience Alistair SmithThe Stage Nicolas Cage turns on Bath lights Dozens hurt in lights switch-on DIY man's festive lights honour | Pantos have got tickets to sell and have to appeal to the local audience Alistair SmithThe Stage Nicolas Cage turns on Bath lights Dozens hurt in lights switch-on DIY man's festive lights honour |
| But the people are not here to see the suited functionaries, they want to see the stars. And who these stars are tells you a lot about the status of your town. | But the people are not here to see the suited functionaries, they want to see the stars. And who these stars are tells you a lot about the status of your town. |
| If you get a big name, it is not unreasonable to assume that this means your town is, well, in a sense, a big name. Perhaps your council had the money to pay a healthy appearance fee, or perhaps your switch-on was a sufficiently high-profile occasion to represent a big promotion opportunity to a star with a new release to plug. | If you get a big name, it is not unreasonable to assume that this means your town is, well, in a sense, a big name. Perhaps your council had the money to pay a healthy appearance fee, or perhaps your switch-on was a sufficiently high-profile occasion to represent a big promotion opportunity to a star with a new release to plug. |
| Examples like Nicolas Cage's appearance in Bath are the exception rather than the rule. Despite the knowledge, provided by the local newspaper, that the Leaving Las Vegas and Face/Off star decided to sell his houses in Bath earlier this year, a crowd of 8,000 greeted him like he was the chosen one. | Examples like Nicolas Cage's appearance in Bath are the exception rather than the rule. Despite the knowledge, provided by the local newspaper, that the Leaving Las Vegas and Face/Off star decided to sell his houses in Bath earlier this year, a crowd of 8,000 greeted him like he was the chosen one. |
| The reason for the A-lister's attendance at the switch-on seems to be that an enterprising employee from the local paper popped a note through his door suggesting it, and he said yes. One had to assume that Cage was turning on the lights simply because he liked Bath. | The reason for the A-lister's attendance at the switch-on seems to be that an enterprising employee from the local paper popped a note through his door suggesting it, and he said yes. One had to assume that Cage was turning on the lights simply because he liked Bath. |
| Nicolas Cage's arrival marked one of the high points of the history of Bath | Nicolas Cage's arrival marked one of the high points of the history of Bath |
| But these days, switch-ons are for the most part dominated by two categories of celebrity - the ubiquitous panto star and the ex-TV talent show contestant. | But these days, switch-ons are for the most part dominated by two categories of celebrity - the ubiquitous panto star and the ex-TV talent show contestant. |
| And even in this there is a clear spectrum of star wattage. If you're big you get a big talent show star, particularly one that is from a recent series. If you're Stockton-on-Tees, on the other hand, you end up with Chico (quarter finalist on X Factor in 2005). | And even in this there is a clear spectrum of star wattage. If you're big you get a big talent show star, particularly one that is from a recent series. If you're Stockton-on-Tees, on the other hand, you end up with Chico (quarter finalist on X Factor in 2005). |
| So it is that Manchester had Alexandra Burke [winner of 2008's X Factor] for the council-sponsored switch-on. But even that was trumped by the Trafford Centre unveiling JLS [runner-up in 2008's X Factor]. It rather seems that this boyband are the biggest switch-on attraction around. | So it is that Manchester had Alexandra Burke [winner of 2008's X Factor] for the council-sponsored switch-on. But even that was trumped by the Trafford Centre unveiling JLS [runner-up in 2008's X Factor]. It rather seems that this boyband are the biggest switch-on attraction around. |
| Bath may have had Cage, London's Westfield may have had Mariah Carey, and Oxford Street was illuminated by Jim Carrey, but JLS have generated the biggest headlines of the switch-on season. | Bath may have had Cage, London's Westfield may have had Mariah Carey, and Oxford Street was illuminated by Jim Carrey, but JLS have generated the biggest headlines of the switch-on season. |
| The band featured alongside a list of other notable performers - Alexandra Burke, Sugababes, Calvin Harris, Tinchy Stryder, Natalie Imbruglia, Little Boots, The Saturdays - at Birmingham's grand switch-on concert. | The band featured alongside a list of other notable performers - Alexandra Burke, Sugababes, Calvin Harris, Tinchy Stryder, Natalie Imbruglia, Little Boots, The Saturdays - at Birmingham's grand switch-on concert. |
| JLS's appearance in Birmingham caused a crowd surge | JLS's appearance in Birmingham caused a crowd surge |
| But it was JLS's performance that generated a crowd surge that led to 60 people being injured and the cancellation of the event. | But it was JLS's performance that generated a crowd surge that led to 60 people being injured and the cancellation of the event. |
| The crowds and the razzamatazz are all for a reason of course. The vast majority of the switch-ons take place on a Thursday evening, with the most popular dates this year being 12, 19 and 26 November. | The crowds and the razzamatazz are all for a reason of course. The vast majority of the switch-ons take place on a Thursday evening, with the most popular dates this year being 12, 19 and 26 November. |
| The choice of Thursday evening - traditionally designated for late-night opening - is because the goal is to kick off the Christmas shopping season. So the switch-on provides a crossover between commercial interests and the desire of councils to entertain their taxpayers - a sort of postscript to the municipal fireworks display. | The choice of Thursday evening - traditionally designated for late-night opening - is because the goal is to kick off the Christmas shopping season. So the switch-on provides a crossover between commercial interests and the desire of councils to entertain their taxpayers - a sort of postscript to the municipal fireworks display. |
| Richard Dodd, of the British Retail Consortium, had first-hand experience of switch-ons in his former life as a local radio presenter. He introduced Little and Large, Philip Schofield, and ex-Coronation Street star Ken Morley in glitzy ceremonies in Nottingham and Mansfield. | Richard Dodd, of the British Retail Consortium, had first-hand experience of switch-ons in his former life as a local radio presenter. He introduced Little and Large, Philip Schofield, and ex-Coronation Street star Ken Morley in glitzy ceremonies in Nottingham and Mansfield. |
| "The Christmas light switch on has probably grown in significance and become more common over the last 20 years," he says. "Now they are quite significant and a very well-established date in the calendar in a whole range of towns and communities. | "The Christmas light switch on has probably grown in significance and become more common over the last 20 years," he says. "Now they are quite significant and a very well-established date in the calendar in a whole range of towns and communities. |
| "It does give a focus to the start of the Christmas season for town centres." | "It does give a focus to the start of the Christmas season for town centres." |
| This year will be more important than ever after retailers' struggles during last year's festive season, he says. | This year will be more important than ever after retailers' struggles during last year's festive season, he says. |
| And the panto crossover also reflects the importance of the Christmas season for hundreds of provincial theatres. | And the panto crossover also reflects the importance of the Christmas season for hundreds of provincial theatres. |
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| Alistair Smith, news editor at The Stage magazine, says that as with struggling retailers, so theatres across the UK are often reliant on the money-spinning pantos to push them into profit. | |
| Film stars turned on the lights in London's West End | Film stars turned on the lights in London's West End |
| "It is a cross promotion thing. Pantos have got tickets to sell and have to appeal to the local audience. One way is to get a panto star out there turning on the lights. It makes them like they are part of the local community." | "It is a cross promotion thing. Pantos have got tickets to sell and have to appeal to the local audience. One way is to get a panto star out there turning on the lights. It makes them like they are part of the local community." |
| But there are plenty of towns and cities that prefer to remain above the eddies of celebrity culture. | But there are plenty of towns and cities that prefer to remain above the eddies of celebrity culture. |
| Edinburgh and Glasgow feel no need for a panto or reality star, trusting instead that the throngs will turn out for the Lord Provost, and the mayor led the proceedings in York. In Liverpool, children did the deed as part of a street performance, while Father Christmas himself had bookings in Northampton and Bristol. | Edinburgh and Glasgow feel no need for a panto or reality star, trusting instead that the throngs will turn out for the Lord Provost, and the mayor led the proceedings in York. In Liverpool, children did the deed as part of a street performance, while Father Christmas himself had bookings in Northampton and Bristol. |
| And such a choice at least avoids the word that no council events manager wants to hear uttered at a switch-on. | And such a choice at least avoids the word that no council events manager wants to hear uttered at a switch-on. |
| "Who?" | "Who?" |
| Send us your comments using the form below. | Send us your comments using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |