MUCH has changed since Andrew Lloyd Webber's emotionally charged musical stormed the West End in 1998.

The high-cost, clever, two-tier mechanical stage and the train rushing towards the audience were abandoned long ago for a simpler tour set which puts the focus on the music, Jim Steinman's lyrics and the strength of the singers.

One cut too many, on this tour, is the moment when The Man (Tim Rogers) mistaken by children as Jesus Christ appears from the crowd in a fleeting farewell to Swallow (Claire Marlowe), long after he was considered dead. It certainly shortens a second half where Rogers and Marlowe demonstrate the best singing ability I've seen in these roles so far. Australian Rogers, particularly, wrings every ounce from his tortured convict on the run and has the reputation of never missing a performance. He's quite something. So are Ashley Lloyd and Carly Thoms as Swallow's younger brother and sister, Poor Baby and Brat.

Other child cast members have been recruited locally and there is a slight suspicion that their performance is soundtrack assisted, when I'm sure that no real help is required for the North-East's talented youngsters.

The show's opening song, The Vaults Of Heaven, still struggles in comparison with the original Tom Jones release. But this is a musical which has survived the criticism of being transplanted from Yorkshire to America's Deep South and attempted crucifixion to become a two-week ticket attraction on Wearside. No matter what, Whistle-goers rule.

Viv Hardwick

* Show runs until Saturday, November 22. Box Office: 0191-565 8592

Published: 12/11/2003