HIGHLY acclaimed violinist Nigel Kennedy played to a half-empty hall when he visited Maidstone Leisure Centre in Mote Park. The organisers described tickets sales for his performance with the City Of Canterbury Symphony Orchestra as disappointing, although the music-lovers who turned up were full of admiration and forced countless encores with their enthusiastic applause.

The concert was the first in a series of three Kent spots featuring Mr Kennedy playing with the symphony orchestra.