... Legends of Rock 'n' Roll Gosport There are so many ripoffs in today's nostalgia market and, sadly, Rock 'n' Roll Legends (The State Line Tour), at Gosport's Ritz Cinema, must be the prime example. To actually charge money for this third-rate production seemed an injustice. Any true fans of Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley just wouldn't have been there at the end. It was from another world, ...

... Applause! Applause! Basildon This production by the students of Corringham based Performers College showed an incredibly high standard of dancing skills. This really shouldn't come as too much of a surprise because the college is run by top television dancer/choreographer/director Brian Rogers, together with his partner Susan Stephens. No expense seems to have been spared with this production, ...

... The Other Side of Chris Barrie Dartford Chris Barrie is the comedy actor whose droning voice as leisure centre manager Gordon Brittas in TV's Brittas Empire is instantly recognisable. Strangely he doesn't make reference to the series during this touring stage show. But equally surprising is the audience response to his other main TV series, Red Dwarf. A brief slip into character proved what a ...

... No, our Ma'am had more fun Eastbourne Yes, Ma'am This musical seen at the Congress focuses on significant events threading through the life of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, whose age is the same as that of the century. The idea seems good and clearly the problem isn't what to include but what to leave out. Born at the very end of Queen Victoria's reign, The Queen Mother saw travel ...

... John Martyn The Grand He played guitar on the televised Tubular Bells. He has had a song covered by Eric Clapton. He has produced more than 20 albums in a career spanning 30 years and the world's first commercially produced CD single was his. Who is he? John Martyn. Never heard of him? That is the drawback with cult status. The crowd at the Clapham Grand had heard of him. And as most of the ...

... Blackpool's Biggest Show Blackpool See them as you've never seen them before, the posters claim. Dancing says Roy Walker, singing, says Les Dennis, sober says Su Pollard, together possibly says the audience. While the Grand Theatre and Opera House may quibble at North Pier's main season sum mer offering billing itself as Blackpool's Biggest Show, there could be few people who would ...

... Total professionalism shines under scrutiny Gielgud Mountview Theatre School 1995 Graduate Showcase Some 20 minutes before the start of the Mountview Theatre School's West End showcase, the Gielgud Theatre was packed with a clearly expectant audience keen to see the class of 1995. The afternoon's entertainment was directed by Wyn Jones with cal direction from Andrew Lowe- Watson and ...

... Minstrel Spectacular '95 Bridlington Several times before, I have had to say that the summer shows at Bridlington's Spa Theatre were not of a very high standard, but in Minstrel Spectacular '95 they have a winner. This is the perfect resort show colourful, well-dressed, fast moving, with memorable tunes and dance routines to delight audiences of all age groups, and its nine week run has ...

... Joe Longthorne Southport On Wednesdays to Saturdays this summer, showtime at Southport Theatre is at eight o'clock, but fans need not turn up before ten past nine to see Joe Longthome in concert. Prior to that, an unbilled hyp notist fills 45 minutes with his very ordinary act which is not at all compatible with the rest of the programme. By calling this a concert, promoter/performer Longthome ...

... George Benson Royal Festival Hall You live and team. Seeing George Benson billed as part of the JVC Capital Radio Jazz Festival one might have thought that he would take the opportunity to at least partially return to hie jazz rontc. After att, back in the sixties he was regarded as one of the hottest young jazz guitarists. But for the last 20 years he has been known mainly as a vocalist ...

... The Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra Worthing Formed 25 years ago, the Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra lived up to its reputation of being among Britain's top big bands when it appeared at Worthing's Pavilion Theatre in a programme which demonstrated to compelling effect the range and.. vidual virtuosity of the 20 piece outfit. Seven times winner of the BBC Big Bands Competition, the MYJO owes much ...

... Russian Naval Spectacular Oxford Founded in February 1711 and accorded Admiralty Battalion status by the Emperor Peter the Great, the St Petersburg Admiralty Navy Band are currently on a UK tour, under their director, Lieutenant Commander Alexei Karabanov. Their programme is billed as A Russian Navy Spectacular the Music of the Tsars. Bill matter includes promises of singers from the ...