... Where the Rivers Meet Sadler's Wells For almost 20 years, Grand Union has successfully followed linked careers as a multi-instrumentalist ensemble and a backbone for larger-scale community shows. Both mix traditions and cultures, serving them up for as wide an audience as possible. As a show this falls into the community half and as such it must be praised for its vision and scale. Big band ...

... 28th Annual MacMillan Weekend of Magic Elizabeth Warlock Her Majesty's There was not a rabbit or dove in sight, but this magic show was full of variety, ranging from the classic cups and balls trick to black art, comedy and illusions. Noel Britten was the excellent compere of this event, the high light of three days of magic performed by stars from around the world. He learned his craft as a ...

... Not Yet the Dodo John Martland British Library Although it was made it clear at the outset that not one note of Noel Coward's music would be sung during this elegant soiree, William Blezard established just the right mood by playing a miniature overture on the piano and then skilfully interpolated the occasional musical morsel, com posed by Coward and others, into this entertainment of The ...

... Consummate ease Strand Hank Marvin Now domiciled in Australia and having enjoyed hit record status throughout four decades, Hank Marvin shows no sign of fatigue on this the 50th date of a two- month European tour. Smartly attired, he demon- strats his mastery of the tremolo sound on the Fender Stratocaster by executing clear harmonious guitar picking on a whole range of melodies. The ...

... Feats of memory stand out BY JOHN MARTLAND Children in Need day had been and gone, and there wasn't a red nose in sight when Kate Adie, the BBC's chief news correspondent, launched into the Goon's immortal Ying Tong Song on Wireless Wise (Testbed Productions for R4, Friday, December 8). Amazed as the rest of us, David Hatch just managed to splutter out: That was worth anybody's money. ...

... Stars dig up their roots BY JOHN MARTLAND Some performers and writers who make millions from popular music often seem embarrassed by their early efforts, and have even been known to sue the record company which gave them their first break when it has the temerity to re-release those embryonic tracks. Not so with Pete Atkln and Cflve James: Smash Flops (Howlett Media Productions for R2, ...

... This revival is truly shipshape Royal Opera House Billy Budd Director Francesca Zambello's markedly cool version of Britten's opera is back at the ROH, the lighting (Alan John Burrett) all blues, sea green and mauve, the stage a bare raked wedge, with a Lorraine cross as mast, which rises hydraulically for below decks. Early in the opera, Billy stands silhouetted on the mast as if crucified ...

... The Marriage of Figaro Leeds Caroline Gawn's brash, all-purpose production (1996) of Mozart's masterpiece is back at The Grand. Happy first-night laughter affirmed the Opera North audience love it. Personally, I think it's a stinker Gawn presents Figaro, a divine comedy of thematic complexity, as a jolly romp devoid of the crucial social distinctions. Hence, presumably, Alice Purcell's ugly ...

... Glyn Kerslake Jermyn Street Theatre It is good to see Glyn Kerslake back in the West End, this time in an intimate cabaret, a world away from his most recent leading role as the Phantom at Her Majesty's. mere was a time wiieti Kerslake was rarely off the London stage (Les Miserables, Sunset Boulevard, Martin Guerre), and it is about time his obvious acting and singing skills were seen there ...

... Flattering imitations Blackpool Legends 2000 One of last summer's surprise Blackpool success stories has this season replaced the ill-fated Comedy Zone to take over Central Pier's revamped auditorium and looks perfectly at home in the cabaret surroundings. The formula itself is just the same a rotating bill of acts who have made their own names through adopting other people's, a backing band ...

... Darling Bea Gilded Balloon Richard Vergette's salute to the legendary Bea Lillie follows a familiar format. On the set of her last film. Thoroughly Modem Millie, the veteran performer is haunted by fading mental powers and growing insecurity. Alternately comforted and bullied by her companion/ agent, she escapes into memories of her life and career. As she relives the journey from would-be ...

... Rum and Vodka/ The Good Thief Assembly Rooms These two monologues by Conor McPherson share his signature capacity for creating fully dimensional characters and for capturing the telling detail or psychological quirk that gives reality to a moment. Unfortunately, they also share a desperate need for an editor's scissors, since each is twice as long as it should be, losing its momentum and ...