... Under the Influence Riverside Studios It was obvious from the opening warrrHjp session, carried out as if there were no onlookers, that the five-strong Australian troupe Legs on the Wall--Lucia Mastrantone, Veronica Neave, Bemadette Regan, Gavin Robins and Brendan Shelper--was extremely well rehearsed and physically very strong. In front of some corrugated metal panels and with a mini mum ...

... Cliff Longhurst Band Ruislip Cliff Longhurst is a seasoned professional, a drummer who has played for Herb Miller and the New Squadronaires, who now fronts a 12-piece ensemble -- heard here as part of the Golf Centre's weekly jazz programme. Clearly a fastidious and ing leader, he had his musicians aligned behind monogrammed stands, all in black ties, with a personable vocalist, and set a ...

... Star turn at Somerset Social David Essex is playing the Westland Sports and Social Club in Yeovil on September 29. You might think it surprising that an artist of this calibre, who is about to embark on a major theatre tour, is playing a social club. But Westland is no ordinary social club it has 10,500 members and a 1 ,800 capacity entertainment room. It also has eight bars, some of which ...

... Tommy Burton and His Sporting House Trio Southport Although based in the Midlands, Tommy Burton is no stranger to the north west. When here, the pianist usually works with a quartet, but on this occasion because of limitations of space in the main lounge of the Hesketh Arms Hotel, he opted for the trio format. However, with Richard Vernon on bass and Spats Langham on banjo, the quality of the ...

... Hurst enters with a burst Backyard Comedy Club Opening Night They queued down Cambridge Heath Road in the rain for the right to be at the opening night of Lee Hurst's new comedy club, a tribute to one of the most popular comics on the circuit. Hurst's new venture is a con verted warehouse and the most immediate quality it displays is the space available. It seats, I estimate, about 350 with ...

... Could It Be Magic! Exeter Mike Danata's one-man show is a mixed bag which did not entirely suit the audience at the Bamfield (although the venue does have limitations--probably the steepest rake in the country and poor lighting). Danata's own sound system was also ing at close quarters. His magic tricks, despite the self-deprecat ing presentation, the build-up and the flourishes, are pretty ...

... Magical show casts a spell Covent Garden Piazza Enchantress Put simply, Skinning the Cat's show Enchantress, with death-defying, high-flying aerial acrobatics, was enchanting. It was a real delight to see a small troupe take such care with every aspect of production--costumes, set, props. lighting and music. Artistic director Becky Truman, magnificently dressed like a diva in sequins and ...

... Paul Eastwood Bletchley When Elvis went on tour Colonel Tom Parker always booked the worst acts he could find to put on first. This succeeded in both making the King of Rock'n'Roll look even better and driving everyone to a frenzy of anticipation as they kept expecting him to walk on to the stage. Comedian Paul Eastwood clearly works on a similar princi pal as his new show, launched at the ...

... Lisa Ekdahl Pizza Express, Dean Street Cool singing Swede Lisa Ekdahl began at 19 singing jazz with leading Swedish combo the Peter Nordahl Trio, before switching to a very successful pop career which gained her two hit albums. Now, at 27, she has returned to her first love with an acclaimed record, When Did You Leave Heaven?, and made her UK singing debut at Pizza Express accompanied by ...

... Stairway to the Stars Torquay If ever one had any doubts that well established talent shows had run their course, this was knocked sideways by the tenth Stairway to the Stars at the Riviera Centre. Sponsored by Torbay Herald Express, it was produced and compered by the enthusiastic and dedicated Chns Chambers, a great performer himself. With a panel of knowledge able judges chaired by Nina ...

... National Street Arts Festival Covent Garden Piazza Sunshine and heavy showers were forecast but as this showcase of street theatre got under way. blue skies prevailed. There were three perfor mances, the first of which was the truly dire Bedlam, presented by Undercover, a co-commission between the festival. Circus Space and Covent Garden Market. The fact that Circus Space would want its name ...

... Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival Colne A record number of visitors, estimated at around 40,000, congregated in this sleepy little northern mill town for an annual celebration of some of the best blues sounds from both sides of the Atlantic. More than 750 artists appearing on a dozen stages forced the ever growing status of this four day event as a first-rate attraction for live music ...