... Rose-Marie Isle of Wight How times have changed for Rose-Marie. Twelve years ago she was virtually unknown -- unless you watched Punchlines -- and was simply one of several hopeful entertainers working the summer weekday Warner's south coast circuit. The audience tainly loved her and now, eight million albums later, she has begun yet another major British tour. It seemed rather fitting that ...

... Dean Friedman Green Room, Cafe Royal Dean Friedman may be more of a footnote than a major entry in the pop reference books, but he did write what is in my opinion one truly great song. Lucky Stars is a poignant little tale, cleverly constructed, about a husband who has had lunch with his old friend, composed in the form of a duologue in which his wife hesi tantly asks: Did you see Lisa?, ...

... Kodo Sadler's Wells Since their triumphant visit to London in 1993, these macho Japanese drummers from the Sado island community have added formal dance to what was always a choreographed rhythmic assault course. Topped by horsehair head pieces, six aggressive performers maintain the testosterone level in Kenbai, a foot-stamping village rit ual. But with their clumping white trainers, rattling ...

... Charles McPherson Jazz Cafe Charles McPherson is a major player, a jazz musician whose creativity was first tested during a torrid period as a Charles Mingus sideman in the sixties. His alto saxophone sound still recalls that of Charlie Parker, his original inspiration, and there are momentary allusions to the fiercer outpourings of the late Eric Dolphy. Even so, he has his own approach, ...

... Ice Fantasia Paignton No effort or expense is spared in Ice Fantasia at the Festival Theatre. It has brought some long needed glamour and excitement to Torbay in a show that has universal appeal to young and old. A loose story that incorporates filleted fairy stories and potted pantos is merely a back ground for a spectacular display of costumes, stagecraft and expert dancing and skating. ...

... That's Showbiz Weymouth Although the three-day week has hit Weymouth's traditional summer show there is still plenty to laugh and sing about in That's Showbiz, which has just opened at the resort's Pavilion. Cutbacks in performances were prompted by last year's scorching weather which thrashed box office takings so badly that Bobby Davro was often playing to half-full houses. But this year's ...

... The Mimics Show Blackpool It does not seem that many summers ago when just about every Blackpool season show had at least one Scottish act on its bill to give that extra appeal to the resort's annual tartan invasion. These days those holiday audiences are allegedly a little more cosmopolitan but at the Trades Club any Monday to Friday during the next few weeks rather than work around the ...

... Don Giovanni Newbury Don Giovanni is a gionous ana elusive mix a dark and threaten ing core encased in the comic incongruity of life. This chamber orchestra ver sion at the Com Exchange inevitably changed the nature of the work and careful conducting (Gerry Cornelius) of a string quartet and small wind section substituted intimacy for energy and drive. But David Mattinson (Giovanni) and Andrew ...

... Cardiff Faust Welsh National Opera's concept of presenting Gounod's Faust 50 years to the day since the mainly amateur company performed it in Cardiff s historic Prince of Wales Theatre was theoretically a happy one. No doubt that precursor was very traditional, a sham contrast indeed to the latest cleverclever 'modem' staging at the New. But first things first. The singing quality was ...

... Heaven Entertainment Carlisle A good solid mix of acts made up the afternoon's entertainment at Carlisle's Railway Club, courtesy of Heaven Entertainment. Compere John Malcolm built up a rapport with the audience and mixed his introductions of the various acts with strong rendi tions of Everybody Needs Somebody. Two Out of Three Ain't Bad and Love on the Rocks. Indlanna. made up of one 15- ...

... Tuneful rivers of emotion Brighton The Blue Nile It's been far too long. Three albums in 13 years, no live appearances for five, is it any wonder this self-effacing trio, augmented by three others, are greeted with such love? For that's the key to it all, love. I know it is hor- rendously unfashionable to speak of such things in these ugly days of trainers and jeans but love is what The ...

... Hollywood & Broadway -- The Musicals Wimbledon/Touring This vehicle, built around the talents of Loma Luft and Wayne Sleep, proved to be one of those odd experiences when the show's second half is infinitely better than the first. tntertainmeni pacKeo wixn songs from shows and movies can always find an audience, so I suppose it is no surprise that this is Hollywood and Broadway mark III (the ...