Theatre - A Good Old Variety Show, All & Sundry, The Artrix, Bromsgrove

From the archive, first published Wednesday 22nd Mar 2006.

FOR an evening's entertainment, a variety show is not something that immediately springs to mind.

But All & Sundry have probably gained a few converts to this music hall-style show, pulling it off in style as usual.

The Good Old Variety Show comprised a huge mix of talent and skill, from belly dancing, to singing, dancing, acrobatics and magic!

This form of show is great for relatively light entertainment and should definitely appeal to today's "soundbite culture" as you are not forced to commit your attention to one style, or one storyline - only to sit back and enjoy the array of acts!

But the whole show was imaginatively put together and, despite some rusty areas, was performed with plenty of enthusiasm and gusto, with some hilarious acts and very talented performers.

Unfortunately the talented and committed cast were slightly let down again by a badly organised venue in the Artrix.

This seems to be an ongoing problem and you can only feel for the hardworking actors and actresses who are battling to entertain audiences who have had to wait in endless queues for tickets or who are given seats already assigned to somebody else.

But lift the house All & Sundry definitely did and a resounding final act, with audience participation aplenty, left everyone leaving with a smile. Let's look forward to this talented group's next offering.

ECB

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