... Nina Simone Brighton Star quality is star quality, no matter how unpromising the surroundings. Brighton Centre's bam-like main hall had the look of an atmosphere-free zone, but the legendary Nina Simone brought the large crowd to its feet simply by walking on to the stage proof, as if any were needed, of the reverence with which she is regarded. Her staggering musicianship and haunting ...

... In need of a new approach Almeida Rob Newman Rob Newman, he of the BBC's Mary Whitehouse Experience, says he has been writing novels for the past few years. It shows. One wonders whether he himself has been ransacking the library shelves in a fruitless search for the How to Bluff Your Way in Stand-Up Comedy guide, such is his irresolute behaviour on stage. When an audience struggles to ...

... Our Lips Shouldn't Touch Drill Hall Nowadays the word 'diva' is bandied about as if great female singers pop up around every corner, but Glaswegian vocalist and songwriter Horse does not quite live up to the comment made in the press information promoting her show, describing her as 'Scotland's greatest diva'. The singer might have had nothing to do with this quote of course, and in a way I ...

... Quidam Amsterdam/Touring With its new show, Quidam meaning nobody Cirque du Soleil aims both to entertain you and make you think. Though darker and more theatrical than its previous offerings, it has many light- hearted moments like the human 'sea lions' and John Gilkey's wonderful juggling/ dance with a coatstand. Choreographer Debra Brown's clever and unmistakable hand is evident ...

... James Ross Tribute Benidorm A galaxy of top stars working in this Spanish resort gathered at the Town night spot to pay tribute to James Ross, one of the most professional, brilliant and likeable characters ever to sit behind a keyboard. The tribute show was opened by popular comperes Mike Curtis and Liverpool comic Johnny Hackett, and continued non-stop for four pulsating hours before an ...

... Warm response to bright talent Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire and Cheshire Artiste of the Year Federation figurehead Basil Ball welcomed his guests to the comfortable surroundings of Burslem Suburban Club for the most prestigious clubland night in the Potteries the annual Staffordshire and Cheshire Artiste of the Year show. A capacity audience of around 400 gathered, and compere Bob Hodgkiss ...

... Agents' Association Ball Marriott Hotel Unknown to me, and I suspect most agents, before the Showcall Showcase at Ribby Hall at the beginning of February, Leslie Gibson was given the honour of occupying the main cabaret spot at the Agents' Association Ball. But on this showing he is undoubtedly a star in the making; an impressionist of the highest quality, with signs of developing a distinct ...

... Sing Something Silly New End No doubt on some occasions Dick Vosburgh and Denis King's musical farrago raises the roof, but judging by the reaction on this particular rainy night in Hampstead, the few brave souls present in the audience seemed to have run out of energy after a long week. They obviously needed some thing a little more stimulating than 'a fast-paced mixture of topical songs, ...

... Clive is a pure natural COMPILED BY PETER HEPPLE Crooner Clive Baldwin is associated with Al Jolson, but is still keen to do his own material I IGHT ENT ROUND-UP Clive Baldwin achieved a lifetime ambition on March 14, when he starred in his own show at the London Palladium, supported by the Aces, a long-established act from his native Hull shop champions Hallmark of Harmony, tap dancer ...

... Stylish sounds of sixties swing Barbican Hall Jack Jones Back in the early sixties, when the world was full of great swinging young contender, pitting himself against the likes of Sinatra and Bennett. In those days, of course, he did not have the mature, lived-in voice of those stars, and his first hits, though full of style, were soft-centred songs like Lollipops and Roses. But now he is ...

... Hogg in the Limelight Talk of London John Hogg has already had a certain amount of success as a songwriter, having won the 1995 Vivian Ellis Prize for his musical The Clip Joint, and this showcase on a West End Cares night at the Talk of London included numbers from that show, as well as three others Meet the Boys, Magnificent Obsessions and It's a Wonderful Life (the last two being works ...

... Robert Habermann/Loonis McGlohon Pizza on the Park You have got to hand it to Robert Habermann--he certainly knows class when he sees it. Not only was the singer discovered by international artist Margaret Whiting, but through her he has also met the highly respected accompanist and songwriter Looms rvicwonon. Habermann has performed in the Music Room on a number of previous occasions, but ...