Jekyll and Hyde -- Bradford Alhambra

Take a bit of Oliver!, a bit of Les Miserables and a lot of Sweeney Todd, and you've got the flavour of Jekyll and Hyde.

But this musical starring Paul Nicholas isn't as good as any of those shows, and isn't quite sure what it wants to be.

It's the story of a driven doctor who drinks a secret formula to separate his good and evil sides.

He becomes two men, a nice guy by day and a ruthless killer by night, living in both high society and the gutter while wooing two women.

Most of the action is portrayed through music, with some lovely romantic ballads and pounding chorus songs, only occasionally spoiled by indistinct lyrics. Less successful are the musical couplets that link the songs, where the show's terrible lyrics are at their most noticeable.

On the plus side there are some characters to really care about: on the minus, an uneasy mood that veers between serious and melodramatic.

Jekyll and Hyde is entertaining enough, particularly in its second half, but could have been much better.

l Tonight/tomorrow, phone 01274 432000.

David Knights

Hello Dolly -- Sutton Village Hall

Nerves were to the fore on opening night as the cast stuttered with their lines and generally put on a wooden performance in the first act.

The exception was Alison Waters as Dolly. The show is all about Dolly and the vibrant Alison commanded the stage, not even allowing a troublesome hat -- it kept falling off -- spoil her performance.

The story is of Dolly, a widow and meddling matchmaker who decides it's time love came back into her life.

The cast shook off their nerves in the second act, as the pace picked up, they relaxed and the show took off.

An impressive small group of musicians was ably led by director David Boddy.

If Hello Dolly is your taste, then have a feast.

l Runs until Saturday. Tickets from Londis Store, Sutton.

Ralph Badham