John Barrowman, The Sage, Gateshead

10:29am Tuesday 15th April 2008

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ELAINE Page, recalling her 1989 appearance in the stage musical, Anything Goes, says that there were two divas in that show - herself, and leading man John Barrowman.

He hasn't changed over the years - he's turned 40 and still has boyish good looks which lead me to wonder if he has a self-portrait hidden in his attic.

His largely female audience was captivated by his gossipy, girly style, telling tales about celebrities he's worked with and doing lightning impressions of auditionees in TV's I'd Do Anything.

He gets his parents in the audience to take a bow and acknowledges what a nightmare child he was. Although he refers often to Scott Gill, his partner of 16 years, there's none of the innuendo that sometimes makes Graham Norton such an embarrassment.

He was unfazed when, in the middle of a tender story about a friend who died of cancer, the emergency house lights went up and there was a public announcement about fire being reported, closely followed by keep your seats, it's a false alarm'.

Barrowman engaged the audience in conversation until calm was restored, the lights went down and he resumed his story.

Masterly.

The tour is to promote his autobiography, Anything Goes, currently in the best-sellers' list, and his album, Another Side. It seems he can sing anything he chooses, his voice strong and true with an impressive range.

Revelling in his own talent and loveliness and carrying his audience along with him, he should be irritating, but somehow he isn't. What a show-off! What an entertainer!

* Further dates in London, Bristol, Manchester and Brighton