The show started to the faintly amusing sight of people lancing uncomfortably in their chairs and ended with the audience crowding the stage in shameless fan worship, crying out for more.

The reaction to Shirley Bassey's open air performance simply demonstrated the singer's enduring appeal.

Miss Bassey made a typically dramatic entrance in a sparkling silver dress many women half her age would think twice about wearing, accompanied by the opening bars of Goldfinger and rapturous applause.

As she moved into another Bond theme, Diamonds are Forever, it was clear the Welsh songstress needed no fancy effects to hold our attention - her stage presence and awesome voice were more than enough.

The show stopping tunes came one after another with Big Spender proving the predictable highlight. She pranced around provocatively, periodically lifting her skirt to expose one buttock after another. The encore saw her belting out a couple of Frank Sinatra numbers.

© 1998 Kent Messenger

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