... 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 ...

... Music wins in test of time Jermyn Street Theatre The Jermyn Street Revue Nothing, it appears, detes faster than verbal humour, to judge from the material assembled by Sheridan Moriey for his Jermyn Street Revue. We of the older generation have fond memories of intimate revue, the genre as well as the humour--short, sharp sketches interpreted by person able actors with an innate sense of ...

... The Great Kovari's Magic Show Centre for the Magic Arts Coinciding with the Easter holidays, The Great Kovari's show was aimed mostly at children. It is no mean feat to have lured them from their mobile phones and computer games to witness a gentler form of entertainment--a mix of magic, mystery and illusion. He starts well by letting everyone think he is revealing the secret of his ...

... Hot Ice 2000 Blackpool For its millennium production, the world's longest-running annual ice production-Blackpool's first full-scale summer season offering this century-has introduced the first contemporary art/ballet sequence created specifically for ice. Staged at the Pleasure Beach Arena, the show opens with Rhythms, a full-scale ensemble production in its own right. Featuring 26 skaters, ...

... Stars in Your Eyes Torquay Because of the enormously high standards that Colin Matthews has set in the last six years, one expects this show to be of the same quality. But this event did not entirely match expectations. However, it was extremely entertaining in parts, and one could not fault the excellent performance from comedian Matt Slack, who grows in stature and ability every time I see ...

... 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 ...