Just what we Praed for

If one looks upon it simply as entertainment and does not expect much of a story line from the book, it is possible to enjoy the new version on that level without being a Manilow fan.

At last night's Manchester opening some members of the audience stood to applaud at the end just as they did two years ago. This time they had better reason for doing so.

The show has been better cast, the costumes are more attractive and, while the pirate scene remains a hotch-potch, it is not as pointless as it was. The personable Michael Praed is excellent in the lead role of Stephen, the composer who becomes the Tony of his imagination.

His voice is pleasant, his dancing relaxed and acceptable, and he proved himself a trouper last night when the sustain-pedal on his keyboard failed to function in one number. He skilfully introduced musical director Irvine Jay on keyboard to get him out of the scrape.

Then the zip of his flies jammed, and he talked his way out of that one too.

Theresa Kartell as Lola has a powerful singing voice that belies her appearance. She and the Copacabana girls made a passable imitation of 1940s showgirls.

Eric Flynn's Cuban appearance and strong baritone made him ideal for the role of Rico, the owner of Havana's Tropicana Club, while his New York counterpart, Sam of the Copacabana was well played by Jonathan Burn, who has appeared at the Octagon in Bolton as well as in the television series of theZForsyte Saga. Marilyn Cutts, as the Carmen Miranda-like Conchita, and Leonie Wilde , as the Copacabana's cigarette girl, Gladys, both know how to belt out a song.

The book still has too many bad, old jokes, butZCopacabanaZhas emerged , if not as a great show, at least as a much more entertaining one. It seems to be laughing at itself now and we can share in the fun. DOREEN CROWTHER

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.