Live reviews

Just a week after Mem Shannon's funk-driven New Orleans band of blues, it was back to basics with the superb guitar-led British band The Elevators.

Hailing from Brighton these guys have been around for years and it showed.

Just a four piece, this was one of the tightest most talented bands seen at the club so far.

With great arrangements of tracks from Buddy Guy, BB King and even Bobby Womack etc, the guitar interplay between John Whippy and Phil Greaves was just superb.

Add the great vocals from Mr Whippy a la Stevie Winwood and this was a brilliant performance from a band at the top of their game.

A standing ovation from the packed house at the end brought them back for a three-song encore finishing with a memorable Stormy Monday Blues.

Garry Chatburn

Pirates of Penzance -- Bradford Alhambra

Hearty pirates filled the stage, fair-maidens fainted at their sight and I enjoyed a colourful display of acting fit for a king, or in this case Queen Victoria.

This really was a delightful performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's musical and quirky inserts, such as an amusing, outspoken pirate knitting by the stage, and waddling Charlie Chaplin style 'Bobbies' added those little extras.

The plot revolves around Frederic, who now 21 can leave the pirates. He meets a bevy of beautiful sisters and he falls in love with one, Mabel.

But, as his birthday falls on a leap year he is actually only five and must return to the pirates.

The Pirate King, played by Angelo Clarke was brimming with character and his animated expressions were priceless.

His pirate charm made his antics seem less despicable, and his apprentice Frederic, played by Phil Yeadon was well set apart to display his fresh young pirate innocence.

Mabel, played by Phillipa J Cairns, did well to sing such difficult melodies. Samuel, played by Chris Blackie, the Pirate King's main comrade also gave a defining performance.

The show combined humour, excitement and an adventurous musical score, which sure got my feet tapping.

Pam Ross