Much Ado About Nothing -- Bingley Arts Centre

Bingley Little Theatre ends its 56th season in style this week with Shakespeare's comedy.

A huge cast cleverly wove three storylines understandably and well, though Anna Yeadon as Beatrice, Paul Chewins as Benedick and David Beckham lookalike Paul Glover as Don John stole the show for me.

There was classy direction from Rosemary Grainger, working on her first main stage production.

The comic scenes were particularly well done.

Credit too goes to set designers John Tempest and Ian Noble whose artistry meant swift scene changes in full view of the audience.

l Tonight/tomorrow 7.30pm. Phone 01274 432000.

Sylvia Thompson

The Full Monty -- Bradford Alhambra

Screaming women by the bucketload, cheeks aching from laughter, an assortment of men dancing in red thongs on stage -- it could only be The Full Monty.

I was a little dubious when the Sheffield-based film was transported to Buffalo, New York for the Broadway masses.

But the show is a riot with some of the catchiest songs I've heard in a musical for a long time.

The ingredients that made the 1997 film a hit have been retained -- with many of the lines and famous scenes tweaked slightly and added to the musical broth.

All the cast were excellent, especially lead Tim Rogers as Jerry Lukowski, who had a fine voice.

Jacqueline Clarke as octogenarian pianist Jeanette had the best of the one-liners -- firing them off like Mae West in her prime -- while Tommy Knight as Jerry's son Nath is a little star in the making.

So do they go the full monty?

I'll just say the play is certainly a cheeky little production!

l Runs until June 26, phone 01274 432000 for tickets details.

Stuart Roberts

Keighley Vocal Union -- Keighley Shared Church

The union performed a wonderful Summer Serenade.

The mixed voice choir had Nelson Arion Male Voice Choir as their guests, both under the leadership of Frank Smith, together with two talented soloists from the world of opera.

Soprano Amanda Echalaz and baritone Neil Baker demonstrated vocal power which filled the spacious church as they projected with ease and clarity.

They also demonstrated versatility with operatic and oratorio and ballet pieces.

The singing from soloists and choirs alike was of a quality to affect the hairs on the back of your neck.

The Vocal Union was handicapped by being split in two by the Arion and hidden by great columns of stone, but songs were tackled with surety.

We also heard three splendid accompanists, Ellis Wright of the Vocal Union, John Taylor the Arion and Andrew Bedford who served the soloists admirably.

It was an evening to savour.

Jack Heald

The Spencer Davis Group and The Yardbirds -- St George's Hall, Bradford

Each of these rhythm and blues legends had the hall rocking to the sounds of the Sixties.

Certainly they had no intention of compromising on the volume to cater for the more sensitive ears of the mature audience.

Musicianship was to the fore, with brilliant performances on guitar, harmonica and drums.

With hits such as Heart Full of Soul and Shape of Things, it is hard to believe the original Yardbirds lasted only four years, disbanding in 1968.

Highlight of their act was the superb harmonica playing of Billy Boy Miskimmon.

With the audience nicely warmed, The Spencer Davis Group opened with, what else but, Keep on Running. Every Little Bit Hurts and Somebody Help Me kept the show moving at a fast pace.

Colin Hodgkinson performed a magical solo on bass guitar and there was also some memorable drumming items from Steve Porzel.

It was a great night for old rockers -- and the old rockers had a great night!

Ralph Badham