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The former Gene front man, and long-time local, continued his tentative return to performing with a spellbinding set in Kemp Town. From opener ‘The Only Thing I Got From You Was My Name’, he proved himself to be a passionate performer, working both stage and audience, delivering new songs that sounded like standards with subtly dramatic inflections. Using his mic like a jazz singer, he laid bare his soul lyrically, à la Aznavour, with ‘Darling Sorrow’, a wistfully autumnal song, expertly accompanied by pianist Robin Coward. The stripped-down Gene songs sounded like modern classics, which pretty much sums up the man.

Brighton Ballroom, 21 July
Rating:
Steve Clements

Based in part on ‘The Diary Of Anne Frank’, the play is a stark reminder of the horrors of World War 2, the ‘masks’ some wear to get through it (on both sides) and the atrocities inflicted on the supposed weak and inferior. It follows the lives of those who lived with Anne in those cramped and uncompromising conditions, exposing the sides of Anne’s personality which aren’t necessarily known and how her fellow captives actually felt about her. The script is slightly dry but performed to a decent level in the main by The Southwick Players youth section. Some promising talent.

The Barn Theatre, Southwick, 20 July
Rating:
Lee Stevens

Drafted in as a last-minute replacement for Luke McQueen, Aussie metaller Jackson Voorhaar wore his rock credentials with pride. Voorhaar traversed the funny side of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, from Rammstein’s sex toy album gimmick to a young Norwegian saving himself from a wolf pack by scaring them off with Megadeth music. Though the odd chuckle was raised, and a late dabble with musical comedy via an adapted Guitar Hero guitar welcome, unfortunately, the blunt fact was that the material just wasn’t that funny. Kudos to the likeable, enthusiastic Voorhaar for stepping up and giving his all, but on this night, it wasn’t quite enough.

Caroline Of Brunswick, 20 July
Rating:
Nick Aldwinckle

Spamalot, the pantomime for all seasons, gallops on stage at Theatre Royal Brighton

Theatre Royal Brighton presents the international smash hit comedy Spamalot, which visits Brighton for a four-week run from Thursday 15 December to Saturday 14 January. Marcus Brigstocke returns as Arthur, King of the Britons and Todd Carty will once again play Patsy. Both delighted critics and audiences alike when the much-loved show visited Brighton in 2010. Casting for Lady of the Lake will be announced shortly.
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