[Job]

I thought this might make an interesting topic for the time of year.

My heart sank some years ago when a well-meaning friend got me a ticket to see Brian Conley as Jolson at the Victoria Palace. He was a revelation, though, and even today his performance is still etched in my memory. (The show was great too - due for a revival?)

Any other memories of great performances you've seen that you'd initially thought might be pants?

[Mark_E]

Diana Vickers in Little Voice. Wasn't expecting her to be so fantastic! She blew it out of the water!

[Alexandra]

This is quite hard. Maybe I approach everything in an optimistic frame of mind. The only time I can think of when I pretty much expected someone to be pants, she was.

[Jan Brock]

They key thing you said was that a friend got you the ticket - if I really think something will be bad then I don't go in the first place. So, when the reality doesn't match the expectation for me it is always in the other direction (eg. Michael Gambon being surprisingly and disappointingly no good as Falstaff).

[Weez]

I do sometimes go and see things that I know will be rubbish, because my curiosity is like that. And I don't mind admitting that Darius Danesh was absolutely wonderful in Gone with the Wind. As much as he could be with that BOOK, anyway. He has a fantastic voice, and I hope he gets something good next time he hits theatres!

[allthatjazz]

Duncan James as Billy Flynn in Chicago was excellent...one of the best Billy's I have seen.

Diana Vickers I agree with also, a total revelation!!! The only good point of the X Factor is that it discovers stars like her.

Jessie Buckley in A Little Night Music - talented, professional and dedicated.

[AnnT]

Clive Rowe at the National as Nicely Nicely in Guys and Dolls - a well deserved Award from the Evening Standard for his performance. I love the show, but deliberately didn't read any reviews, wanting to go with a clean view. Outstanding!