The Southport Visiter from Southport, Merseyside, England • 13

13 Leisure Guide Southport Visiter Friday May 8 1987 Return of Rochdale TMt: first and onl Mike Harding returns to the Southport I heatre on Saturdav bringing his own unique brand ot comedy which in ten years has rocketed him from virtual obscurity to becoming a star of both TV and stage Although originally just a singer in the Sixties Mike quickly discovered his penchant lor humour began to outshine his singing talents and during the 1970s began to tell the stories tor which he has become famous as a part of the act lelevision appearances and a string of successful tours and albums have subsequently turned him into a household name As an indication of how far he has come today's shows we are told professional multi-instrumental multi- the Cowboy media affairs incorporating backing tapes back projection light shows and special sound without losing anything of the and of the man himself Indeed Mike Harding is now everything but a film star and who would bet against him even going into the movies eventually also The show starts at 8 and tickets are still available from £450 upwards Other attractions at the Theatre this week including a performance by Kiki Dee on Sunday evening Also velvetvoiced piano tinkler Peter Skellern makes a welcome appearance on Wednesday when he is certain to perform a wide cross-section of his hits from a ady" to the classics of Fred Astaire Lingering nightmare lOataH of Portrait) TO TREASURE YOUR TREASURE sM( I 1 1 1 HI I ION Now on in a lari-rs Arcade I iitishcs IKtli Max THE ghost of Vietnam is the one spectre the American people have continually failed to shrug off in the last 12 years despite valiant attempts by both politicians and most especially the cinema to lick the wounds clean writes Tim Fernandez Although the Kennedy assasination and the Marilyn Monroe murder controversy have reared individuals has probably their heads into the public been the key to its eye only occasionally persistence yet with Vietnam refuses to lie Platoon (opening at the down and although films Canon Cinema One like The Deer Hunter and today) Americans have on a much cruder level perceived a way out from Rambo have tried to the recurring nightmare exorcise the bad memories and hence Oscars have still they linger been showered on the film The fact that it is a probably in the hope that question of national guilt this will be the last word rather than that of a few on the subject Contest hopefuls at the Riverside own local heroes "The take the stage at the Riverside tonight hoping to revive the sounds of yesteryear This talented hand arc set to represent Southport in the forthcoming series to he transmitted in June Their latest single a has received warm reviews and is currently available at local record stores Saturday's Country Startime Show features the return of the Yorkshire-based recording trio Spill the Beans It's free admission for an evening of dancing and cabaret on Sunday and also on Wednesday when music comes courtesy of the popular country hand Sundown Coffee event THE Society will receive a financial boost from a coffee morning being held tomorrow at Simon and Church Coffee will be served from 1030am ww Building tor a atfobocuro retirement furnish you with a better retirement now! Whether it does or not remains to be seen but what is certain is that Platoon is the definitive Vietnam movie and is essential viewing for anyone requiring a true insight into the great American disaster The source of its brutal realism comes from writerdirector Oliver Stone whose own experiences in Vietnam are mirrored almost exactly in events of the film The film attempt to take political sides in its depiction of the conflict unlike previous efforts Instead its primary concern is to convey the war from the grassroots level that was the viewpoint of the thousands of young soldiers who were plunged head first into the hell of military conflict The effects of this approach may shock many movie goers but in the long run it can only prove enlightening Newcomer Charlie Sheen provides one of the many excellent performances in the film but as you might expect Platoon is not a platform for movie stars just as the war itself was not an arena for heroes Whatever movies you see this year make sure one of them is Platoon because it is a film that demands attention from everyone Showing in Studio Two from today is the horror caper Witchboard a film which requires some faith on the part of the viewer in the qualities of ouija boards Starring explayboy model Tawny Kitaen who fared well in Batchelor Party opposite Tom Hanks the kind of movie that could have come straight from a Stephen King novel as a group of youngsters fall under the influence of an evil spirit from the other side Die usual bloodstained frightmare antics ensue as the forces of good and evil lock into combat with an offbeat psychic employed to exorcise the evil spirits before the killings escalate out of control Fairly routine stuff by horror standards but certainly capable of conjuring up a shock or two if you've got a sufficiently vivid imagination And as this is'nt likely to be idea of fun Mv Little Pony also shows in this studio for the matinees on Saturday and Sunday An animated feature based on the famous line in toys this is family entertainment pure and simple we know appreciate McCarthy and Stone make your fresh start so easy we will help you sell your existing home and even arrange free removals A McCarthy and Stone apartment will provide you with a manageable practical home where you can enjoy independence and companionship The value of your current home should cover the cost ot your apartment and even arrange a free valuation something Private Apartments FOR SALE IN BlRKDALE Prices from: £34500 Call ITl tO' Our sales office in York Road Open 1030 am to I pm and 2 00 pm to 500 pm alk tO: Sandra Gee or Jim Crook on 0704 68754 llilll Holiday crowdspromising and better furnishings for your retirement later! Round the town with Raymond Reserve a McCarthy and Stone retirement apartment before June 6th and give you £500 worth of carpets curtains or furniture from our collection when you have completed Offer only applies to people who reserve before June 6 th and subsequently purchase the apartment Club starting at 8 pm Family groups are particularly welcome The chairman of the Dancing Club Mr Roy Lambert presented Cheques to Sandfield and Mercfield Schools and the Ainsdale Adult Centre from the charity fund last Friday at the Floral Hall Lounge Collections from a variety of events came to a total of £5653 in the five years to April 30th 1986 and £1712 was collected in the year to April 3(th 1987 making a grand total to date of £7365 Unfortunately the entertainment programme planned for the Municipal Gardens Cafe area last Saturday had to be cancelled because of the weather conditions I attended the Southport Horticultural Society meeting at the Scarisbrick Hotel last Thursday when plans for this Flower Show were discussed This year there will be an area with continuous entertainment in addition to the bandstand The dates are August 20th to 22nd Thursday to Saturday DESPITE rather cold weather the number of visitors about over last weekend gave indications of being well above previous May Day Bank Holidays writes Raymond Taylor A number of coach parties were staying at the Bath Street Hotels and I am told these produced record business at the Royal British Legion Club on Saturday night On Sunday evening many of these visitors turned up at the Scarisbrick Hotel dance with all seats taken well before the start On Monday roads into Southport were very busy Miss Alison Latham the St Mezzo-Soprano booked to sing at the Floral Hall Lounge took over two hours to travel from her home In the event the attendance at the Lounge for the Bank Holiday Road Show was only slightly down from the Easter Monday figures Local baritone John Clark reduced the noisy crowd to silence with his rendering of the Street where you live Marty Gordon the Mocking Birds Doris Thompson and Alison Latham combined to put on a fast-moving bill The next Charity Road Shows are in the Floral Hall Gardens on May 24th and in the Floral Hall Lounge on May 25th Generally the level of trade round the town over the Easter and May Bank Holidays indicated that we could be in line for a much better season than in the last few years Tonight the Freddy Bence Band is playing for dancing at the Floral Hall the Rugby Club Ball is on at the Scarisbrick Hotel and Club Night with Laurie Hughes and Doris Thompson continues at the Floral Hail Lounge There is free admission to club nights until the season officially starts on May 22nd Next Tuesday Birmingham organist Mr Foley Rates is booked for the monthly meeting of the Southport Organ and Keyboard Club at the Ainsdale Conservative The Southport Swords were up early on May Day when they entertained customers at the Scarisbrick Hotel to a traditional event ITte Scarisbrick Hotel served mead and bacon butties to anyone with the stomach to quafT their drink between 7 am and 9 am on May Day Members of the Friday Club were sponsored to see how many pints they could each drink and money raised from this will go to Southport children's charities Pictured are Mark Carey of the Scarisbrick Hotel management (left) with musicians Mike Harrington and Jeff Stoker tud cm USE THE CLASSIFIED Why not sell something you don want.