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Kicking off Brighton Festival’s series of lunchtime concerts, this impressive and highly versatile quintet plunged straight into a Vivaldi concerto, setting a tone for what was to come later with the Handel and the Bach, by reproducing a comfortable feeling of familiarity with their arrangements of well-loved composers.

Unlike the traditional string quartet, here the violin and cello sit facing the oboe and flute, at times the duos furiously trading solos, but always held together by the steady adagio of the harpsichord.

The quintet may resemble a bevy of bank managers in their grey suits and ties, the difference being that the enjoyment of our lunchtime investment was certainly safe in their hands.

Pavilion Theatre, Brighton Dome, 9 May
Rating:
Paul Clark

Chas `n’ Dave came to Komedia as part of their Together Again, Final Tour. With two sell-out shows back to back, they showed that they have not lost their appeal, attracting an audience of all ages. And they certainly didn’t disappoint. With covers given the Chas `n’ Dave touch, followed by a string of their classic hits, they provided us with a proper knees-up. An awesome evening ensued in the presence of expert entertainers. The audience were dancing in the aisles, it was pure, unadulterated joy. Gertcha!

Komedia, 22 April
Rating:
Angela Barnes

Having seen the excellent adaptation of George’s Marvellous Medicine by The Birmingham Stage Company last year I had great expectations for their presentation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic The Jungle Book.

I was not disappointed. This was a visually stunning, high-energy performance with music, song and dance. The classic story of Mowgli, a young boy raised in the jungle by a family of wolves was enhanced by spectacular puppetry, atmospheric sets and lighting.

Equal measure of comedy and menace kept the young audience delighted, with flatulent monkeys, and hilarious boisterous interplay between Mowgli and his mentor, Baloo. Shere Khan, the tiger, played by Peter Sowerbutts filled the stage with his sinister presence, on occasion causing a few children to jump out of their seats!

The music and songs were magnificent too, the highlight for me was mad, bad jackal, Tabaqui (played by Craig Painting) delivering a slavering performance with Barb Jungr’s lyrics of how mad, bad and dangerous he was to know. Genius.

Theatre Royal Brighton, 27 April
Rating:
Stephen King

On Friday 1 April Arundel Castle will lower its drawbridge ready for the 2011 season. It’s our favourite Sussex castle, with a rich history and an interesting present.
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