CHER, at the Manchester Evening News Arena

MULTI-talented Cher wowed the audience with a spectacular and dramatic show featuring eight costume changes in under 90 minutes.

She swapped outfits and wigs more times than the children's TV character Mr Ben as she matched costume to song, presenting a medley of music spanning four decades.

Her talent shone through - despite her initial guise, which would not have looked out of place among the Manchester airport eco warrior protesters.

Clever use of dancers allowed Cher to slip away four times in the first 40 minutes to change her costume. It could be said she spent as much time in the dressing room as she did on stage.

The Shoop Shoop Song and If I Could Turn Back Time had the audience on its feet chanting and dancing along and the encore of her latest hit Believe was as fantastic as it was memorable.

TV and film footage verged on the self-indulgent and broke up what could have been a more stunning performance. The show should have lasted longer and contained more songs.

Cher's cool banter was appreciated and included a nice witty chat about BBC's Ground Force team but I wasn't the only one left asking for more, only to be snubbed as Cher fled the stage and the lights went on.

One word of warning. Park in the Arena car park at your peril. It took me 40 minutes to exit.

CATHERINE SMYTH

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