... Barry Mason--Remember Delilah Blackpool There are singers of songs, writers of songs and singer/songwriters. Blackpool-raised Barry Mason falls into the second of these categories. Mason penned the words to songs with sales of around 50 million since the early sixties, so who cares if his delivery of them is not quite as polished as that of Tom Jones (Delilah) or Engelbert Humperdinck (The ...

... Darkness and Disgrace Rosemary Branch This cabaret, inspired by the songs of David Bowie, could have so easily been a pretentious joyride, perfect for the singer/ songwriter's fans, but lost on the uninitiated. Fortunately, it is nothing of the kind, and so much more. Those people who count Let's Dance as their favourite Bowie track may at first be disappointed by the programme. It is a show ...

... Keeping us at arm's length Pizza on the Park Neile Adams There is bound to be a buzz about Neile Adams' London cabaret debut-not only did she perform on Broadway in Kismet and The Pajama Game, but she was also married to Hollywood legend Steve McQueen. However, Adams' first set at the Music Room is not quite as interesting and glamorous as her past seems to have been. She may hint that her ...

... The Millennium Show Millennium Dome The Dome's new dance extravaganza devised by Mark Fisher, no less, with music by Peter Gabriel is fantastically spectacular, but, like Greenwich's overgrown tent itself, a shade hollow. Why we British have an obsession with mediocrity and a fear of taking risks, I do not know. But the resources these 26 performers have at their disposal (57 winches is a lot ...

... Jont Ronnie Scott's Boasting plentiful stage presence and charisma as well as a superb voice, Jont powered his way through an attention-grabbing performance that was rich in both variety and musicianship. The singer and guitarist's range encompasses music varying from the folk-inspired to more pop directed approaches, delivered in a manner which is at times reminiscent of performers such as ...

... 51st Annual Blackpool Command Performance Blackpool Packed to capacity, a Horsehoe Bar audience consisting mainly of prominent northern clubland figures gathered for a show which has become a key date in the clubland calendar. Backing musicians Steve Cox and Tony Lea could have been a much more substantial asset to the event had their sound been better balanced. They were not loud enough to ...

... Rising stars raising laughs Hackney Empire New Act of the Year 2000 Walking into the foyer of this famous venue, it is easy to imagine the ghosts of audiences past roaring with laughter at the great comics who have trodden its boards. The fresh-faced comedians on trial at this year's final had battled their way through heats held in an adjacent pub over the past few months. Arthur Smith ...

... Pride of the Clyde Glasgow Johnny Beattie seems to be an old friend of every member of this show's audience--and it is mutual. The crowd knows the jokes and the songs, but Beattie trusts them not to shout out the punchlines. From the traditional accor dion of Ian Muir to Russel Lane's fabulous Calum Kennedy pastiche, there is something for everyone. But, like Scotland itself, it has its ...

... Sacha Distel Isle of Wight The French star arrived at Warner's luxurious Bembridge Coast Hotel to make a rare appearance at a British holiday centre. Amazingly, it is now 30 years since he enjoyed real stardom in this country with Palladium seasons and Royal Variety Shows. Now in his late sixties, Sacha Distel still cuts an elegant figure, but it was a shame that he did not work his ...

... Golden era's sumptuous tunes The John Wilson Orchestra Pizza on the Park As a sumptuous reminder of how good the popular music of an earlier era is. John Wilson's superb orchestra, rich in warm fifties- style string sounds and boasting a repertoire of 20th century classics, would be hard to beat. Wilsons own arrangements, as well as those by legends such as Robert Farnon, are handled ...

... Chinese State Circus Purley/Touring After a two-year gap, the Chinese State Circus is back with a troupe from the Zheng Zhou province. Phillip Gandey is still the show's artistic director but now it is being toured by Cottle and Austen's European Entertainment Corporation. Near the start of its run, it does not look quite as slick as in previous years, but there is no disputing the wide ...

... Shaolin-Wheel of Life Dominion Like a kung-fu opera without song, the soldier monks of the Shaolin temple give a terrific showcase of agility and supreme dedication by performing choreographed martial arts in an apparently historical but decidedly empty spiritual context. Their origins are relayed by the Shaolin members aged seven to 70 themselves, and it is a near-biblical tale in its ...