... Mystique Blackpool It seems that three into one really can go--with a trio of illusionists this year replacing the Horseshoe Showbar's former resident wizard Russ Stevens. This latest edition of the annual floorshow is as much 'gothique' as Mystique, with the first half in particular taking on almost horror film proportions with slit throats and flaming brands. Christian Griffin Romanov are ...

... Two's company is just as good Ayr The Nolans Now working as a duo are Nolan sisters Maureen and Anne. They do an hour as Sunday night's star act at Wonderwest's Castaways venue. Working to taped backing (played by Rick Coates, sound engineered by Peter Flynn) the ladies increase their scope and ease the problem of being other wise sisterless by combining with two Nolan Dancers (Julie Payne ...

... Ring Out the Bow Bells CAA If ever a show was perfect for a Concert Artistes' Association audience it was Ruth Allen's Ring Out the Bow Bells, the cockney musical given a concert performance as part of the Covent Garden Festival. Nostalgia was heavy in the air as the storyline harked back to a London long gone and an East End community spirit perhaps now non existent. In many respects the plot ...

... Pavarotti Royal Gala Cardiff Almost 5000 cheering concertgo- ers packed Cardiffs International Arena to hear opera king Luciano Pavarotti sing two arias from Tosca, followed by duets with bril liant soprano Kallen Esperian. The world famous tenor's first visit to the Land of Song left the spellbound audience begging for an encore at the finale of one of the most spectacular concerts ever ...

... Monday Showtime Cardiff A special charity show featuring top Welsh clubland entertainers took place at Cardiffs Moat House Hotel in aid of the Save the Children fund. Bubbly songstress Lavina Smith, flanked by the exquisitely costumed June Bois Dancers, gave a most impressive opening spot, highlighted by a Connie Francis medley. Balladeer Keith David fol lowed. His big voice and superb sense ...

... SHOCK--THE GAME ARE BACK! Scandal-hit sixties band The Game are back after a long stretch in the wilderness. The group which rocked the pop programme Juke Box Jury with their debut record The Addicted Man has come back nearly 30 years later with a follow-up. It's Shocking What They Call Me. The rumpus surrounding The Addicted Man's suppos edly drug-related lyrics wrecked The Game's career ...

... Search for a Star Final Caerphilly Thirteen top quality acts battled it out in the nail-biting final of the Search for a Star competition staged at the Bedwas Workingmen's Club, all hoping to win the lucrative £1,250 first prize. It was mainly a musical night featuring male and female vocalists and an up-and-coming pop groups in the four hour talent extravaganza. So when Irish comedian ...

... Jolson, Formby and Crosby Blackpool From the end of May to mid July is a difficult spot--the slightest change in the weather (be it too hot or too cold) and the largely senior citizen market decides against legging or limping along the resorts longest pier to a show which is hardly over exposed on the promotion front. But Effective Leisure has taken this year's earty season gamble at North ...

... Olde Tyme Music Hall Bridlington On a night tnat felt more like winter than earty summer, I had never seen Bridlington look so deserted. As a result, the small size of the audience for the show currently running at the Spa Theatre was hardly surprising. But despite all that, the small company there were only nine performers, five of whom were the dancers put all they had into the proceedings, ...

... Second half was happier for all Bournemouth Seaside Postcard/Old Time Music Hall Unimpressed some years ago when I first watched Terence Frisby's one act play Seaside Postcard, this Ronnie Scott-Dodd production at the Pier Theatre reinforced my view that the piece belongs in a far lower league than the author's famous comedy wnting. His couple of bickering family groups on a joint excursion ...

... GM Entertainments Showcase Kingswinford Staged at the MEB Social Club, this showcase was refreshing in that it was true variety--the seven acts all differed from each other. On this occasion, I mention compere Tom Devine first, because his relaxed rather than dynamic approach created a good enjoyable atmosphere for the whole of the show. The almost timid and apologetic style of deliv ery of ...

... Jim has stars in his eyes Green Room, Cafe Royal Jim Bailey To say that Jim Bailey is a female impersonator is like saying Desert Orchid is a racehorse. Bailey has transcended the usual drag queen approach to present sustained characterisa tions of stars, using his own voice and superb make-up, arriving at a point where the impersonator de parts and the illusion of the star herself takes over. ...