Andrew Lloyd-Webber may still be struggling to get Cinderella onto the stage of the London Palladium but the Criterion Theatre on the Isle of Sheppey has already reopened its doors.

After a soft launch last month with the Elvis-tribute band Taking Care of Vegas (no dancing allowed to comply with Covid regulations) it has bounced back with Oh Boy! a blast from the past with songs from the 1950s and 60s.

The five-strong cast of Pearly Productions led by Mickie Driver pumped out favourites to backing tracks.

Kay Carman in yellow-feathered dress tackled the Doris Day classic Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) from the 1954 movie The Barefoot Contessa and Lloyd Ellery added rock and roll with Eddie Cochrane hits such as Three Steps To Heaven and Summertime Blues.

Annie Riley's powerful voice perfectly captured the tunes of 60s pop girls Cilla Black (Anyone Who Had A Heart), Sandie Shaw (Puppet on a String) and Dusty Springfield (I Only Want To Be With You) and Mike Marandi brought a touch of the Welsh valleys to the restored music hall in Blue Town, Sheerness, with a Tom Jones medley of What's New Pussycat, Green Grass of Home and the classic Delilah with the audience joining in for the maniacal laughing.

It was a Covid-safe show with the audience, which did not have to wear masks, separated so 'bubbles' of up to six could have their own cabaret-style tables.

Driver, fast approaching his 75th birthday, still puts on a great performance but hinted he may quit the stage soon. But not before his team returns in October for the Bless 'Em All wartime tribute and next February for Happy And Glorious to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Crayford-born Driver, soon to move to Broadstairs, has been entertaining since he was four and his parents plonked him on the bar of their local boozer the Lord Raglan so he could sing along to his dad, Charlie, who was on drums, and his uncle Frank busy bashing out tunes on the piano.

Driver only went into showbiz professionally with a part in the panto Sleeping Beauty starring Bill Maynard at the Sunderland Empire, after he had to quit his job as a florist - he had provided the flowers for Judi Dench's wedding - when he was diagnosed as being allergic to pollen.

He admitted: "Singing was the only thing else I could do!"

For years he toured with Jess Conrad in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat before setting up The Variety Collective to entertain care home residents. He said: "It is amazing to see the delight in people's faces. Music has such a powerful effect."

* Oh Boy! Criterion Theatre, Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 1pm to June 25. £35 including fish 'n' chip lunch. 01795 662981.

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