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The hunt is on for budding young stars

Christmas may seem some way away, but not if you’re in the panto business. Robinsons has already launched their 2010 Search For A Star quest.

They are looking for local children aged between six and sixteen who would love to appear in panto. Youngsters are encouraged to register for auditions online (www.robinsonssearchforastar.com) to be in with a chance of winning one of the 20 to 30 roles up for grabs in the local production of Cinderella, The New Fairytale Musical, which comes to the Theatre Royal in December.
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Variety was definitely the order of the day with Ministry of Burlesque: High Tease. Ably hosted by the jovial Paul L Martin, the night certainly belonged to the three sensuous, erotic but not distasteful burlesque dancers: Miss Malone, Vicky Butterfly and El Amore. Each performed separate interpretations of the style in each half. However, the remaining acts of singers, comedy skits and physical theatre failed to help the evening flow (although each act were good in their own right). A packed and rowdy Komedia were certainly roused by a cheeky traditional ostrich feather dance finale, complete with tassels in all the right places.
20 August, Komedia
3/5
Lee Stevens

Following a warming rocksteady instrumental, The Wailers eased into ‘Soul Rebel’. They sounded every inch like an original ’70s roots reggae band with extended bass and drums dub excursions; original member Aston Barrett rooted to the same spot throughout, playing deep, stomach-shaking bass lines. The crowd respectfully nodded and grooved along, until ‘This is Love’ kicked in and a massive cheer went up. With songs like this so ingrained in the consciousness, a mass singalong ensued, which continued throughout. This was by no means a greatest hits set but they wisely ended with ‘One Love’ and ‘Redemption Song’.
19 August, Concorde 2
4/5
Steve Clements

Summer’s traditional dearth of gigs yields the odd surprise classic performance. Despite two stars of Montreal’s vibrant scene, persistent sound problems prevented this show from being one of them. A strong turn from retro-rockers Final Flash was hampered by tuning issues and general indifference, leaving only their set closer raising pulses. Blending ’60s West Coast harmonies with gloomy shoegaze atmospherics and psychedelic bombast, The Besnard Lakes are usually magisterial. When things went right, we had ‘And You Lied To Me’ and ‘Albatross’ soaring above physical limitations; unfortunately, though, a frankly horrible mix made sonic alchemists Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas more often sound like their song’s winged namesake.
20 August, Jam
3/5
Nick Aldwinckle