... La Boheme ROH SEEING this handsome production by John Copley, with its charming and plausible Julia Trevelyan Oman sets, is always a pleasure and to see it with David Rendall as Rodolfo is an added bonus. Following Placido Domingo, Rendall lacks that famous golden mastery of tone but his performance les throughout with an arresting hand some energy and sensitivity. He sus tains his vocal ...

... There's a hole in your contract, dear Mervyn' ANNIE PRODUCER Mervyn Conn is being made to carry the can after a rumpus over child stars who are being paid the equivalent of about £4 a week and have to provide their own metal bucket for the show. Equity spokesman Marilyn Stoddart said the union had received complaints from parents about the children's pay and confusing and irrelevant con ...

... RTE cross Irish sea IRELAND'S LEADING orchestra, the RTE Concert Orchestra, visits England for the first time next month, playing three special Celebration Ire land concerts at Liverpool Philharmo nic Hall, March 14, Birmingham Town Hall, March 16 and the Royal Albert Hall on St Patrick's Day, March 17. Featured in the concerts will be composer Shaun Davey, Rita Connolly, Liam O Floinn ...

... Irish song contest ENTRIES are again invited from songwriters for the Song of the South International Song Contest, to be held in the Community Hall, Charle villc County Cork, Repub lic of Ireland on June 1 1 The prize fund is £2,200 plus trophies and the contest is open to professional and amateur writers. Closing date for entries is March 31 and further information can be obtained by writing ...

... Mersey variety LIVERPOOL Music Hall Society has arranged an old time music hall evening at the Woolton Hall, Liverpool on April 10, followed by an evening of variety at Stanley House, Bootle on May 7 and a further old time music hall at Liverpool Royal Institution Theatre on May 28. ...

... Charity's Tall order ALAN TALL, docker turned magi cian, who also runs the British Child Aid fund, is presenting a charity variety show at Hackney Empire on March 29. Artists who have agreed to appear include Peters and Lee, Terri Rogers, Brian Poole and Electrix, Jayne Sulli van, Dave Meadows, Billy Wells, John ny Maire, Pet Barry and Mick Paul. ...

... A COUNCIL panto flopped by being boring and failing to win good audiences, councillors heard, and now recreation bosses are pondering on how to avoid a repeat performance for the next Christmas production. Sinbad and the Sands of Time was staged after Christmas in a joint venture by King George's Hall and Blackburn Theatre Trust. Council member Kasia Malowana- Murphy said it had frumpy ...

... 'Dangerous' balcony leads to alcohol ban HOLYWELL'S ultra-modern showpiece leisure centre due to open before the end of March will not be able to sell alcohol until the bar area is re-designed. The bar is situated on a first floor balcony overlooking the main entrance foyer. Police and magistrates are worried that glasses, drinks, and even people could be thrown over the balcony in the event ...

... Privatisation bid for council owned venue THE Churchill Theatre in Bromley could become the latest council owned venue in London to pass into private hands. Talks are believed to have already taken place with Beck Theatre boss Charles Bance and John Newman, whose company New Palm productions holds the lease on the Wimbledon theatre. Bromley spokesman Richard Foister said a decision on the ...

... One wheel good THE FOURTH annual Covent Gar den Juggling and Unicycling Con vention is being held in the West Piazza of Covent Garden by St Paul's Church this Sunday, May 24. ...

... PAUL'S CAT PAUL ELLIOTT is to present this year's pantomine at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth, Dick Whittington and his Cat, with a cast headed by Anita Harris, Ber nard Cribbins, Andrew Sachs, Glyn Owen, Edmund Hockridge, Chris Harris and Nick Wilton. It will be directed by the Theatre Royal's artistic director Roger Redfarn, with choreography by Tommy Shaw, and is being spon sored by the ...

... CONWAY'S SUNDAYS RUSS CONWAY is to appear every Sunday throughout the sea son at the Royal Hippodrome, Eastbourne, with an assortment of guest artists, including Dennis Lotis, Bryan Johnson and Gary Lovini. It is presented by Jordan-Ram- shaw Associates, who had a suc cessful Sunday season last year with Teddy Johnson and Pearl Carr. ...