Show leaves audience spellbound

The clock was turned back for Black Country theatregoers at an all-singing, all-dancing variety show headlined by Tony Christie.

There was comedy, music and dancing as some of the biggest cabaret stars in the business took to the stage at the Grand Theatre.

The acts waived their usual fees to appear in the old-style show and helped pull in around £30,000 for the Staffordshire Association of Clubs For Young People.

Former Crackerjack host Don Maclean compered the evening, leaving the crowd in stitches of laughter with his one-liners.

The crowd laughed from beginning to end of funnyman Billy Pearce’s set, magician Paul Zenon left the audience spellbound, while pianist Bobby Crush delighted with Burt Bacharach’s musical masterpieces.

Tony Christie topped the bill at the Wolverhampton venue and had the audience singing and swaying to his classic hits, including Is This The Way To Amarillo?

And his 13-year-old grandson gave the audience a lesson in rock with his band 3 Pin Socket. The Opera Stars and dancers of Willenhall’s Classic Academy of Dance also gave performances worthy of any top theatre stage.

But it was Tony Christie who proved to be the biggest draw for the sell-out crowd.

June Wright, aged 70, from Walsall, went along with friend 71-year-old Val Fellows. “It is great to have a show like this on at the Grand,” said Val, also from Walsall.

“It is a great line-up and it is being held for a good cause which is even better. We have been looking forward to coming and having a great time for ages,” Jean and Barry Radford, from Bushbury, snapped up tickets to see the show when they found out Tony Christie would be topping the bill.

“We love all the old-style variety shows,” said 62-year-old Jean. “It’s like a return to the days of being a teenager.

“When we read about the show we said we’ve definitely got to come and see it.”

Tony Christie was also the main attraction for shopkeeper Ruth Skitt, aged 57, and 62-year-old personal assistant Christine Thompson, both from Stow Heath. “I’ve admired him for years,” said Christine.

Barbara Hickling, from Dudley, was given the show tickets for her 78th birthday and she took along friend Doreen Sylvester, aged 63, from Tividale, who works with her at the Halesowen branch of Age Concern.

“I like all of the people on the bill and I love coming along to the theatre,” she said. “I’ve been really excited about it.”

Carer Louise Greatrix, aged 42, from Ashmore Park bought the tickets for her friend Dave Causer’s 62nd birthday.

Dave’s wife Carol, 59, went along for the show with Louise’s mother Barbara, 77.

“It is a good old-time show,” said Barbara, from Ashmore Park. “We have been looking forward to getting up and having a bit of a sing and a dance,” she added.

Lord Stafford, president of the charity benefiting from last night’s one-off variety show, said the evening had been fantastic.

“You couldn’t go and watch a show like that anywhere else in the country,” he said. “All of the stars gave up their time for free to perform and raise money for the association. It really is wonderful,” he added.

Staffordshire Clubs for Young People, which is sponsored by Drayton Manor Park, helps to get teenagers off the street by organising fun-filled activities and trips.