... Coppelia Glasgow There is a sequence in Act I of Coppelia as presented by Scottish Ballet, a pseudo-folk dance in prettily embroidered pseudo-peasant costumes, which is performed with such verve and precision that one's spirit lifts. The feeling doesn't last. There are other moments, namely those occupied by the astonishingly gifted Campbell McKenzie and the tragically under used Robert ...

... Strike Up the Band--Gary Williams Beacholme After seeing Gary Williams in action, the question arises how much longer before he has to for sake the club scene for theatre and television? Very capably backed by the Pat McCarthy Jazz Quartet, Williams stormed through a set that included Stepping Out, Night and Day, Let There Be Love, Mona Lisa and Strike Up the Band, the title song of his show. ...

... Stars of Tomorrow Northampton After seeing the Chaplins Stage School in its Stars of Tomorrow show at Derngate, one can be left in little doubt that not only is variety alive and kicking, but that this stage school has a frightening amount of talent among its natural, young performers. Their versatility and profes sionalism was outstanding. In fact, at times, you had to shake yourself to ...

... Julie Rogers Green Room, Cafe Royal Julie Rogers received a warm and enthusiastic response to her set at the Cafe Royal's Green Room, and, as a result, it comes as no surprise to hear on the grapevine that there is a good chance of seeing her return to the venue next year. There is no doubting the extent of her singing range and, of course, the power of her voice, which can be rather ...

... Caecilie Norby and Nils Van Doky Trio Purcell Room Jazz vocalist Caecilie Norby is something of an unknown quantity over here although she enjoys great acclaim in her native Denmark. Her London debut, while under-attended, confirmed her as a significant talent, adding to the excellent impression made by her new album on Olue Note. Norby was supported by a stellar trio of fellow Danes led by ...

... Rusalka London Coliseum Gems from the powerhouse days will keep surfacing at the Coliseum. ENO has revived David Pountney's powerful and moving production of Dvorak's Rusalka, with a new conductor and a virtually new cast. The magic endures. Stefanos Lazaridis' Victorian nursery sinisterty combines child like fun with pubertal angst, while a watery pool, leaf patterned wall paper and nocturnal ...

... Don Giovanni Glyndebourne Touring Opera Glyndebourne's production of Don Giovanni has certainly provoked a deal of argument, which makes it an ideal vehicle for tourirng by Glyndebourne Touring Opera. Beyond London, audiences tend to respond more openly to challenging stagings. Obviously, certain adjust ments have had to be made. The flames around the Don's last sup per table are not a touring ...

... Words on the Run Huddersfield The Liverpool Poets are out on the road and parallels with the last Rolling Stones tour are tempting. Both groups reflect the frightening passage of time for us sixties teenagers who are suddenly struggling with late middle age. But Bnan Patten, Roger McGough and Adrian Henri look well enough to withstand the rigours of touring and their materi al is certain to be ...

... Harry Allen/George Masso Hampstead These two American jazz musicians share a preference for thoughtful creativity. There's very little hustle or bustle about them --no cheap effects or noisy clamour in their performances. mats not to say that their playing lacks inspiration or ten sion, just that its execution is a matter of careful consideration rather than wild abandon. Their common ...

... Gala Show Leicester A full house attended the official opening of the superbly refurbished concert room at Spinney Hill WMC, and we each enjoyed an excellent evening of quality entertainment organised by ent sec Dave Rollason to celebrate the event. Popular Birmingham com pere/comedian Billy Jay opened the show and although it seemed a little early in the evening to receive the comic's mixed ...

... The All New Alexei Sayle Stage Show Preston Last time Alexei Sayle took to the road with a stand-up comedy tour, Everton were league champions, valium was still trendy and Frankie was still going to Hollywood. Ten years on and soccer, soft drugs and softer songs have all changed but, as with many of his more Establishment colleagues, Sayle has discovered that comedy can keep its own pace. Like ...

... Back to the future As technology advances and we get bombarded with an increasing array of channels, there is the fear that we are going to be overwhelmed by choice. Doesn't that scare you? That there will be whole swathes of programmes from which you will be excluded simply by not having the attention span to keep up? Which brings me on to science fiction programmes. Space Precinct, Deep ...