Cromer Pier Show 2

Two weeks ago Cromer Pier's summer show opened with a bang, with one of the best variety offerings for many a year.

Its alternating flip-side show closed with a bang - as a cannon blasted tickertape across an enthralled audience.

The show has got its mojo back and there was no sign of the comedy, choreography, and singing losing any of its zest, even in the wilting heat.

Sometimes the second show lives in shadow of the first, but this one shines just as brightly.

The big chorus numbers and the comedy are normally the best litmus papers of success.

Show 2's Les Miserables first half finale was a powerful distillation of a big musical by a small cast, helped by the stunning scenery of Ian Westbrook and costumes of Laura Whyte.

Comics Paul Eastwood and Adam Daye had the crowd in stitches - Paul with his near-the-knuckle stand-up delivered with a disarming smile, and Adam with his impressions (from Max Wall to Mrs Brown) and even some ventriloquism with Orville and Nookie Bear.

Vocalists Jane Watkins and Louis Yssel combined well in an upbeat Stevie Wonder session, with Jane also impressing with Bette Midler's The Rose and Louis with John Legend's All of Me.

Multi-instrumentalist duo Adante provide the slightly surreal speciality act including a version of Bohemian Rhapsody using everything from a banjo to a musical saw.

And praise to the six dancers for their energy and poise as they embraced ballet, tap, disco and Edwardian elegance on top of Nigel Hogg's music box from the orchestra pit.

Normally one show is better than the other. This year's, aptly as the World Cup reaches its climax, need a penalty shoot out to separate them.

Richard Batson