I DON'T know how long Linda Nolan has been involved with this big show, which this year marks its 20th season in the West End, but I suspect that it's some time, and when she takes the stage in Sunderland she really owns it.

A brief announcement at the start says she is suffering from a cold and asks the audience's forbearance. It isn't necessary - she is a sheer delight to watch.

The story penned by Willy Russell is set in Liverpool and starts with a youthful Mrs Johnstone, played by Nolan, being courted by her husband. She loves to dance and looks like Marilyn Monroe but, as the musical unfolds, and this resemblance is repeated, we see its poignancy - her life is equally as tragic as the film star's.

The central concept is of twins, the latest children to be born to Mrs Johnstone, whom she is ill-equipped to keep. She makes a bargain with the devil (or more precisely her employer, Mrs Lyons) to place one baby in her care. While this is done against her instincts, and in the interests of her child, it proves an ill-advised decision which ends in tragedy for all.

The twins themselves, as well as all the other children, are played by adults, and Stephen Palfreman, in particular, who plays the hapless oddball Mickey, is very skillful at portraying childish ways. Vanessa Clarke is an impressive Mrs Lyons but, in the end, the show is made by Nolan's powerful performance.

* Runs until March 3. Box office 0870-6021130.

Sarah Foster

Wihan Quartet, The Sage Gateshead

Driving rhythms, exquisite melodies and wholly enmeshed playing held an audience enthralled when the Wihan Quartet appeared in Hall Two, at the Sage Gateshead.

The latest guests of the Newcastle International Chamber Music Series, the Czech ensemble opened the evening with Mozart's Adagio and Fugue in C minor, before they were joined by pianist Martin Kasik to deliver a stunning rendition of Dvorak's Quintet for piano and strings. After a warm opening theme from the cello, it was a white-knuckle rollercoaster ride with biting strings and pure magic on the keyboard with Kasik. The strengths of each instrument were exploited to the full with violist Jiri Zigmund extracting the woodiest of tones from his instrument. The slow movement was conveyed with an ineffable grace before the ensemble came racing out for a scherzo of unbridled energy.

Brahms' Quintet in F for piano and strings is a massive work and its architecture was immaculately laid out. The audience was treated to an encore in the shape of a Schumann scherzo. Kasik was in his element with his fingers dancing feather-light across the keyboards. Music making at its glorious best.

Gavin Engelbrecht