... 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 ...

... Tough fight to make progress By John Martland It seemed rather appropriate that actress Frances Barber should talk about her work on Shiner, the forthcoming Michael Caine film dealing with the nasty side of the fight game, in five five-minute slots rather than one continuous programme. Each day in Work In Progress (BBC Bristol for R3, from Monday, May 8), she vividly recalled what it was ...

... Sixties acts dazzle the crowds Palladium Solid Silver 60s Show 2000 Featuring four acts from the swinging sixties, this is the 15th such annual tour, the call for which shows no sign of abating as we begin the new millennium. First were the Swinging Blue Jeans, appropriately clad in denim, giving their interpretation of three Gene Vincent numbers which made for a party atmos phere. With some ...

... Stunning fare brassily played Weymouth BBC Big Band This crowd-packed concert at the Pavilion smoothly incorporated two recording sessions for BBC Radio 2's Big Band Special and, with no programme available, we were fortunate that resident host, the engaging Shella Tracy, was onstage to guide us through the evening. Conducted by Barry Fbrgie, the 17-piece band demonstrated their superb ...

... Stars from the Old Moscow Circus Croydon Timing, as they say, is everything. Last week the Chinese State Circus was in town, blitzing the whole area with posters and half-price vouchers. This week it is the Russians' turn, but the evening audiences have evaporated. Pity then, the troupe of 20 performers who put on brave faces and went on with the show. It is strange enough seeing circus ...

... Daryll King Hornchurch Businessman Brian Nightingale asked professional pub and club singer Daryll King what he most wanted. King said his own show and sold out the Queen's weeks before it was staged with Nightingale Music's backing. Supported by Kevin Hartnett's excellent eight-piece band and two backing singers King was clearly in his element as an enter tainer among friends. He knows what ...

... Throne by turnaround Sadler's Wells The King This is the first major production I have seen about a tribute artist, albeit unintentional. Creator Peter Schaufuss originally conceived his ballet on the subject of Elvis Presley, but problems with the Presley Foundation forced a drastic switch of emphasis. A courageous decision, but unfortunately I do not believe it works. Much of the ...

... An Evening of New Acoustic Beats Ronnie Scott's Singer/songwriter Baxta and his band produced a superb performance to stand out among a four-strong bill in this programme of folk, rock and country-inspired music. A collection of diverse songs composed by the guitarist rounded off the evening in outstanding style, displaying both his show manship and distinctive voice. Influences ranging ...

... An Evening with Jimmy Tarbuck Halifax/Touring Jimmy Tarbuck should think about rationing his quiz show work and ditching the golf videos if he wants to be remembered as an outstanding comedian. His spring tour has him doing what he does best working a live audience. His act is steeped in quickfire Liverpool wit and street-comer cheek, and his timing is sublime. He might live in the south, but ...

... Zippo's Circus Blackheath/Touring There is a familiarity about Zippo's--a sense of tradition. Clowns, trapeze, horses, jugglers--everything is there except for the tigers and elephants to remind us of days gone by. When every member of the team helps out, not only in each other's acts, but also selling prog rammes, it is hard not to wonder about the circus' financial state. In these days of TV ...

... A welcome round of nostalgia BY JOHN MARTLAND With the Millennium Dome in the news for all the wrong reasons right now, memories of an earlier structure--the Dome of Discovery--were revived in Fabulous Fifties (Music Entertainment for R2, from Tuesday, April 18). The title, of course referred to those ten extraordinary years that were, in presenter Alan Whicker's words, squeezed like a ...

... Let Go of My Trunk Canal Cafe Racily, publicity for this show features a scantily clad woman asking potential punters if they would like to pay a fiver to see her perform in a foursome. Though it would be unfair to say that this collection of sketches fails to live up to its flyer, this kind of one-note cheekiness seems to be a motif for the evening. That said, there is plenty of good ...