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This year’s fun-filled family pantomime was a delight – Robin Hood (West End’s Tracey Penn) and his band of Merry Men begin their journey to save Nottingham and rescue Maid Marian from the evil Sheriff (EastEnders bad boy John Altman).

Keeping with traditional themes of lively music, colourful costumes, a Widow Twankey personality and plenty of boo’s and cheers; original elements were added from current affair jokes to modern pop music with street dance choreography.

Some audience participation, slapstick humour and adult overtones, approved it suitable for all age groups and a festive way to celebrate the magic of Christmas.

Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne 17 December 2011
Rating:
David Tabor

Melding the eccentricities of Robert Wyatt, the mournfulness of Antony Hegarty and the play-out track from their dad, George Unthank, proved a cinch for the Northumberland sisters, Rachel and Becky. This, the final date of the tour, saw the three-quarters full Dome in surprisingly accommodating mood – this after all less than 24 hours since ‘Mad Friday’. The beautiful, husky diction of the covers (Hegarty part 1/Wyatt part 2), and their upbeat banter (betraying not a trace of an Alka Seltzer) was underscored elegantly by piano, brass and strings. Having seen them blow away this summer’s End of the Road: no surprise here, once again.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 17 December 2011
Rating:
Jan Goodey

Outside, North Laine is thronging with boozy Christmas revellers and work parties, one of which has almost done for Mojo Fins’ singer Stephen Brett. “I ate what amounted to a whole chicken,” he explains, “I’ve got the meat sweats.” In the end, it’s a lack of time rather than seasonal over-indulgence that cut the band’s set a little short tonight, but the glowing guitar melodies of ‘Owning My Condition’ and ‘Lighthouse’ rewarded the devoted audience. Although the room was only half full (is everyone in Brighton on the Mad Friday lash?), the warmth of the band’s sound helped dispel the chill.

Pavilion Theatre, Brighton Dome, 16 December 2011
Rating:
Stuart Huggett

There are only two words to describe the final date of Aloe Blaccs UK tour – ‘slick’ and ‘polished’, and I’m not just talking about his sense of style. Nattily dressed the Orange County-born soul singer grabbed the audience with his funky vibe and didn’t let go, even when travelling through his hitless back catalogue. Backed expertly by his band his velvet voice came to the fore with the beautiful ‘Momma Hold My Hand’ and the recession anthem, ‘I Need A Dollar’. His self-proclaimed church of love and happiness is a good place to be, even if you only know one song.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 16 December 2011
Rating:
Ben Scott