Barbara Nice: Mrs Nice

Barbara Nice, Janice Connolly's indomitable Mancunian alter-ego, cannot be watched passively - she will not allow it. She makes demands of the crowd at every turn, and while some of the audience clearly expected as much, others half-heartedly play along because of the unavoidable impression that not doing so would hurt Connolly's feelings. Though her intentions may be good, it is this kind of emotional blackmail that many find to be the least attractive aspect of audience participation. Having clapped along, acted as a chorus, helped her bodysurf and played an outdoors game of 'What's The Time, Mr Wolf?', audiences may be entitled to wonder how much of this show they are allowed merely to watch, rather than perform themselves.

Of course, that could be considered cynical, and cynicism of any kind is off-limits at Mrs Nice. Connolly's cartoonish characterisation of a working class wife and mother describes herself as a "fun smuggler", bringing a bit of wholesome silliness into people's lives (whether they want it or not). This provides an energetic hour of song, dance, group activities and observations on life as seen through the prism of Take a Break magazine. Connolly clearly has a loyal pre-existing fanbase, but for newcomers, Mrs Nice demands too much and gives too little. While her routines show a knack for comic phrasing and her good mood never flags, the overall experience often feels like being hectored by the overenthusiastic organiser of a package holiday. Unfortunately, few people would consider that comedy.