EMPLOYMENT STATUS AND COMMITMENT AMONG PUBLIC HOUSE PERFORMERS

Although as an example of “moonlighting” public house entertainment can be categorised as part of the irregular economy, all these terms tend to lose their rigour when confronted with the complexity of empirical reality. The occupational status of public house entertainers differs greatly (for some, a second/part‐time occupation, for others, their only occupation), and shifts in status are common. An important benchmark in such careers is the point at which performers turn professional, but this status‐passage is usually informal and is influenced by the individual's evaluation of their day‐job, perception of professionals‘ lives, availability of opportunities, and commitment to entertaining. Twin job‐holding activity demonstrates a rich occupational complexity, and the balance between two jobs, in such performers’ lives, is liable to change, as are the reasons for participation.