Homage to Catalonia - West Yorkshire Playhouse: Since reading 1984 at school, I've always been a massive Orwell fan.

Therefore I'm ashamed to admit that Homage to Catalonia is one of the few books of his I haven't yet read.

What a relief then that the West Yorkshire Playhouse is bringing to life Orwell's journalistic account of his time fighting fascists during the Spanish Civil War.

With a cast of ten mixed English and Spanish actors, the show blends powerful visuals and music with readings from the book.

This selection allows you to experience the changes that occurred within the International Brigade and the harsh realities of war.

I doubted whether Homage could make the transition to stage but I'm glad to say it works -- just about.

Perhaps too long but always intriguing, the show leaves the audience asking questions relevant today, as they were back in the 1930's.

Hats off for a standout Craig Conway but a word of advice, a little knowledge of the revolution itself helps with the enjoyment.

l West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, until April 3. Phone 0113 2137700.

Michael Taylor

Beauty and the Beast -- Bradford Alhambra

Was this panto masquerading as ballet or vice versa?

BIrmingham Royal Ballet's Beauty and the Beast tries to be both but has more to offer the "behind you" clientele than the serious dance fan.

Production wise, the sets are lavish and easily among the best I've seen in any production.

We have baroque ball-rooms transformed into gothic forests and castles replete with self-lighting candles, wine flagons poured by unseen hands and a chair that hugs its occupant while sleeping.

But the obviously gifted dancers are by and large wasted in a story lacking real intensity.

The best sequences involve Belle's flight to the castle aided by a bevy of birds, the beasts' ball and the final pas de deux where Asta Bazeviciute's Belle and Iain Mackay's Beast are finally allowed real expression.

The sets and set changes really are a spectacle however and make this a worthwhile night out.

Children too will love this, even though in theory, it wasn't specifically aimed at them.

l Runs until Saturday, phone 01274 432000.

Stuart Roberts

Hello Dolly! -- Grand Theatre, Leeds

I first saw Leeds theatre group LAOS last year with its excellent 42nd Street.

And although Hello Dolly! is a less spectacular musical I enjoyed this too. Dolly is a New York matchmaker who, while trying to marry-off a wealthy businessman, decides she wants him for herself.

Other characters are seeking love too -- finding it "in a moment" as one song says -- leading to inevitable complications.

Nicola Brook played the leading character well and had good chemistry with Michael Porter as the tycoon. Craig Dinnewell was memorable as Barnaby, living up to the promise he showed in the chorus of 42nd Street.

Superb costumes and well-executed scenery changes made up for crackly sound and a first-half that dragged a little. Overall, this was an energetic production with a good mix of song and dance.

l Grand Theatre tonight/ tomorrow. Phone 0113 222-6222.

Katrina Knights