CONSIDERING the profile and popularity of Russell Watson this show was not as well sold as I was expecting and I thought it might have suited a smaller venue.

That is until you take into account what looked like a thirty piece orchestra and choir and the voice of the man himself that is more than capable of filling an auditorium all in its own.

Starting the show with There's A Place For Us from West Side Story he then spent some time chatting before it was into If I Loved You from Carousel and Mario Lanza tune With A Song In My Heart.

After one more tune Russell left the stage and we were treated to a lovely soothing musical number from the orchestra before Russell returned to perform If Ever I Would Leave You from Camelot and three songs from Les Miserable ending with the ever popular Bring Him Home.

A quick twenty-minute break and it was on with the show.

Russell is a natural entertainer and spends a fair amount of time interacting with the crowd and encouraging audience participation especially during excellent versions of Funiculi, Funicular, and Volare.

He can rightly claim to be the biggest ever-selling U.K. classical singer and has bought the music to a new audience but he is no one trick pony and tonight he also showcased tunes from his latest album True Stories some of which are more pop than classical and added a nice touch of variety to the show.

A guest appearance from Cecilia Le Poer Power went down well both as a duet and a couple of solo numbers including a version of Cry Me A River.

The show ended on a high note with crowd-pleasing versions of Jerusalem, Pomp and Circumstances and Land of Hope and Glory.

A great night of music and song from a man who knows how to entertain and put on an excellent show.