Blood Brothers -- Alhambra Theatre, Bradford

Understudy Karen Barnes stepped into Linda Nolan's starring role on Tuesday's opening night and proved she was a worthy leading lady.

She took over due to the former Nolan Sister's illness, to headline this story of a woman forced to separate her twin boys at birth.

One grows up with numerous poverty-stricken siblings, the other with a middle-class family across town.

This production of the ever-popular Willy Russell musical was still powerfully dramatic but with more of an accent on laughs than previous versions I've seen.

Sean Jones and Drew Ashton were very funny as the brothers, growing up as we watched, and the focus was on their relationship with their mother.

Phil Stewart sang and acted well as the Narrator and was very funny, but his accent was like a bad Billy Connolly impersonation.

Apart from some dodgy Scouse accents, this was a really enjoyable show with some excellent singing.

* It runs until April 24. Phone 01274 432000 to book.

Adele King

The Mission - Victoria Hall, Keighley

Keighley's Goth followers were out in force with a large audience to witness Skeletal Family and The Mission.

Skeletal Family couldn't play because of unforeseen circumstances and all credit must go to local punk-metal band Breene for not only standing in at the last minute but also for playing such a compelling set.

Not since the days of AC-DC playing the Vic Hall or the Sex Pistols playing Nikkers in the late 70s has a band with the credentials of The Mission stopped off in the town.

Wayne Hussey may be the only remaining member from the original line-up, but when the only original member happens to be the charismatic front man, you can't really grumble?

With a gothic looking backdrop of draped curtains and several burning candles, the band began their set with an oldie - The Crystal Ocean.

The occasional new song was included in a set crammed full of oldies, which really got the crowd on their feet with their arms lifted skyward in traditional Gothic approval.

A song released 16 years ago on the Children album, Hymn (for America) has added significance with the current world situation and although a weak song on the album, live the song had a whole new lease of life.

The band were never going to get away without an encore and Hussey returned to the stage alone with guitar and performed a solo version of The Cure's A Night Like This. The rest of the band returned and Deliverance and Shades of Green once again had the crowd going mental before a rousing finale of Tower of Strength.

With Hussey declaring his love for "Keith-lea", The Mission were gone and the little piece of Keighley that was inside Victoria Hall certainly loved The Mission.

Credit must go to Roger "Trotwood" Nowell for getting bands of this stature playing in the town and proving that there is life outside of Bradford and Leeds.

Graham Scaife

The Players -- New Variety Club, Keighley

A barnstormin' set from various associates of Paul Weller, who seem to have finally stepped right out of his shadow.

Showcasing their fantastic album of Sixties-themed soul instrumentals --the band delivered the goods and then some.

The star of the show was Aziz Ibrahim, the guitarist who replaced John Squire in the Stone Roses. His dazzling guitar playing was a joy to behold, with a seemingly bottomless pit of effects pedals to work with and a guitar that had a flashing fretboard.

Full marks to drummer Steve White and bassist Damon Minchella who provided a rock solid rhythm section throughout and even the inclusion of a drum solo did little to take the sheen off a lesson in how to rock.

Mick Talbot, who is back with Dexy's Midnight Runners, could have been given a little more room to show off some of the keyboard magic he is capable of. But it was a fantastic gig and I can heartily recommend them live or on their recent album "Clear The Decks".

Just make sure that there isn't an annoying blonde there who feels it necessary to shout out anything at all to get noticed.

Let's hope that The Players come back very soon.

Antony Silson

Busted -- Sheffield Hallam FM Arena

I didn't spit, pogo or dye my head green, but back in the late 1970s I was there listening to punk records in my friend's garage.

So a visit to the Arena with my 12-year-old son to see his favourite band was something of a nostalgia trip.

True, these lads weren't born when Sham 69 hit the charts, their fans are predominantly pre-teen girls rather than rebellious teenagers and their mothers won't let them spit.

But in spirit, energy and breakneck-paced music, Busted are punky enough to satisfy today's more image-conscious generation.

An anarchist wouldn't give them the time of day and you wouldn't get the Sex Pistols singing so many love songs, but they're a cut above the usual pop band.

Threatening to climb even higher were the support act McFly, who hit No 1 with their first single this month, playing similar songs but with more oomph, fun and star quality.

Busted play Sheffield Hallam FM Arena on November 27. Phone 0114 256-5656.

David Knights