John Barrowman, Ipswich Regent, May 20It was part concert, part cabaret, part autobiography but it was all entertainment for the sell-out crowd, which yelled out their approval of the ultra-camp Dr Who star and Saturday night showbiz entertainer.

Andrew Clarke

John Barrowman, Ipswich Regent, May 20

It was part concert, part cabaret, part autobiography but it was all entertainment for the sell-out crowd, which yelled out their approval of the ultra-camp Dr Who star and Saturday night showbiz entertainer.

Backed by a musically tight-knit band and four backing dancers, John hit the stage running, practically bouncing through a cover of Queen's Don't Stop Me Now and didn't stop all evening.

Last night was obviously a special night for Barrowman as he invited Ipswich singer Sam Horsfield on stage to sing the ABBA-hit Dancing Queen with him. Sam appeared on his Saturday night show Tonight's The Night two weeks ago, performing the same song with the cast of Mama Mia!

Sam herself earned a standing ovation from her home town crowd, after she was plucked from the audience for her surprise performance.

The show's set list was made up from John's favourite songs linked with stories and slides from his own life - as well as selections from his new album Music, Music, Music.

Among the best received numbers were Barry Manilow's I Made It Throught The Rain, Ronan Keating's Rollercoaster and Michael Buble's Everything.

The first half closer which had the crowds on its feet was an electric version of KC and the Sunshine Band's Give it Up. It was also clear that he is very proud of his Scottish roots. The most eccentric part of the evening was a medley of West End show hits set to a Scottish jig.

At one point he even persuaded his 70 year old parents up on stage to give a demonstration of the family dance called The Slosh. Highlights of the second half were an impassioned performance of Glen Campbell's Rhinestone Cowboy, a highly energetic version of La Vida Loca and a haunting version of Joni Mitchell's From Both Sides Now.

And just in case you were left in any doubt that John Barrowman was gay (after an evening of gay jokes) he ended the evening with a rousing I Am What I Am.

Andrew Clarke