... Striving to show off new talents Croydon Barrymore Live Barrymore Live is an apt show title, because nobody could be more live than Michael Barrymore, working the audience at the Fairfield Hall from every inch of the stage and often out in the He opened with the song I Don't Know Why and then darted into all manner of comic antics. There were larger than life skits on This Is Your Life, ...

... Alexander O'Neal Norwich One of America's coolest soul singers strode confidently on to the Theatre Royal stage on the last night of a hugely successful British tour. Alexander O'Neal, ably sup ported by his excellent ten-piece band, could do no wrong in this party atmosphere, peopled mainly by die-hard jazz, soul and funk groovers. O'Neal's massive stage pres ence, the flair of his band, and ...

... The Michael Ball Christmas Show Blackpool One swallow does not a summer make and one seasonal medley plus a rousing encore and artificial snow shower does not necessarily warrant the title Christmas show- but only the most picky punter would quibble. Michael Ball has always had a wonderful voice, he has worked hard on his stage presence and he comes across as thoroughly enjoying what he is ...

... Holly at Christmas Blackpool They might have started out as slow as a 78rpm record on a rurvdown gramophone but Buddy Holly and the Cricketers ended up hotter than a dish of chilli from a dodgy Denver take-away. What we have here is a bunch of actors/musicians, some of whom were in the hit musical Buddy and drummer Peter Cumber who wasn't. Mr Holly, as he is respectfully referred to throughout ...

... Billy Myers Barnsley Liverpool singer Billy Myers proved that his acclaimed reputation in clubland is justified when he entertained with an outstanding performance at Gawber Road Club. He opens in punchy style and includes How Sweet It Is, before contrasting with ballads The Second Time and the old Malcolm Vaughan hit Every Day of My Life. His flair for the ballad comes across in his Matt ...

... Kukuyu Barnsley Popular girl/boy duo Kukuyu achieve a rapport with their audi ence from the work go, as they get toes tapping with a fastHmoving selection ranging from old hits like Do You Love Me, to the nineties with I Wanna Be the Only One. They opened at Carton Smithies Ex-Servicemen's Club with My Life, before going on to I Believe I Can Fly, and catchy SpanisWype songs like The Macarena. ...

... BMHS Annual Ball Marriott Hotel, London The British Music Hall Society kicked off its annual bash with a lavish dinner and top table guests included Danny La Rue, and the gags poured forth from the likes of Roy Hudd with showman John Roscoe providing the toasts. Tightly put together and well costumed, the cabaret was more of a slick floorshow. Billed as Mr Personality, Kim Smith is a jovial ...

... Christmas Variety Christchurch Produced by performance poet Anne Lydon, this entertainment at the Regent Centre provided an opportunity for young professionals from club and hotel cabaret to gain experience in playing near-capacity theatre. Hosting the show, glam ourous, ravervhaired Lydon unselfishly restricted herself to just one poem astute comedy verse concerning the trials of male/female ...

... A Winter Wonderland Blackpool Les Miserables might not be exactly the spirit of Christmas past, present or future but it is certainly more where female impersonator Jordan Rivers feels at home than when jingling his bells dressed as a Sandra Claus and whizzing through a medley of festive favourites. Blackpool's town centre Music Hall Tavern has dipped its toe in the Christmas show mar ket ...

... In the strictest sense this column is not really the place to discuss radio documentaries, unless, of course, there are special features which spotlight prominent figures in light entertainment, comedy and music. However, now and then it seems ate to bend the rules a little and Piers Plowright's retirement at the end of last month is surely such an occasion. Conventional profiles focus ing ...

... Sorcery skills--that's magic Her Majesty's The Macmillan 26th Annual International Gala of Magic It was a show fit for a queen. A merry-go-round of sorcery with artists presenting their skills of prestidigitation. And with Ali Bongo in sparkling form as compere, it just had to be a success. Opening with a short, snappy number from the original Sixties Tiller Girls, we sat back to watch Junge ...

... Extra delights Royal Albert Hall Alegria Stripped down to its essentials, Alegria is just a circus. But it is the extra toppings that make it an experience, practically the ultimate live show, a combination of all those things that have proved winners in the past- Disney-like fantasy, the Gladiators, hi-tech lighting and sound employed to their highest degree and a musi cal score by Rene ...