ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with one key individual Alan Richards and his Liverpool-based record label Stag Music as an expression of the hybrid nature of the cabaret circuit. The word 'cabaret' is of French origin and in France the word initially referred to any business serving alcohol. Agents and agencies were intrinsic to this burgeoning tertiary production circuit and within Liverpool there were several very important artiste agencies. The cabaret circuit supported and created regular work for budding musicians, it stimulated the sale of goods and services within the licensed trade, and protected several areas of employment such as bar and technical staff. When attempting to map cabaret's local history in Liverpool we immediately become aware of why discussions concerning this circuit and its associated music genres are so contentious. The cabaret circuit represented shared common values, norms, and attitudes, not only towards music but towards life in general.
