The Good Old Days (1)

Published Monday 6 October 2008 at 12:50 by Kevin Berry

This last season of The Good Old Days before extensive refurbishment of the City Varieties has no household name bill-toppers, but each programme now has six acts rather than five.

Six acts, plus of course Barney’s Boys and Girls. These youngsters really do light the blue touch paper for a Good Old Days programme, in this case with a vivacious interpretation of Ma, He’s Making Eyes At Me.

Sharp-witted Hal Nolan has a fund of memorable one-liners and a fun way of teasing the audience. His reactions to the absurdities of modern life are blissfully therapeutic.

Singer Kay Jordan impresses with old favourites and some intriguing Victorian ballads she has discovered. She plans a CD of such treasures for release next year.

The much-loved Gorden Kaye replaces the Jimmy Casey and Eli Woods duo, with Casey being indisposed. Kaye revives his character Rene Artois, from television’s ‘Allo ‘Allo, and ruminates on Rene’s married life.  

Legendary ventriloquist Neville King treats the audience to a session with his drunken Old Boy doll. King incorporates lots of mischievous material here.

Tap dancer Maurice Kachuck revives memories of Cagney, Kelly and the great Donald O’Connor in a scintillating set. Hopefully the management will find a settee for him to stride over when he next performs Good Morning.

That magnificent violinist Gary Lovini concludes. Any youngster embarking on a career as a solo musician should watch this man. He moves around the stage powerfully and his playing is never less than ravishing.