A VISION in polka dots, eyeliner and knee-high boots, we teetered across the road towards the theatre, expecting a bar full of flares and bold black-and-white patterns.

But instead of flower power and a flashback to the Swinging Sixties we were greeted by a crowd dressed in respectable attire, preparing for a civilised night at the theatre.

Relieved to see a few children with flowers painted onto their faces, and earrings akin to our own cheap, dangly plastic inventions, we took our seats.

The multi-instrumental cast of ten singers and musicians promise to deliver "the best Sixties concert in the world... ever," with a string of tributes to stars such as The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley and Tom Jones.

As soon as the host of shift-dress-wearing singers opened the show - presented by David Graham Entertainment Ltd - with The Temptations' hit, Get Ready, the audience began to shake off their inhibitions and clap.

The programme of almost 40 tracks included Downtown, Baby Love, Shout, Build Me Up Buttercup, Daydream Believer, The Locomotion, Dancing In The Street, I Like It, and an encore of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Singers provided humorous ad libs between sets, which although annoying at times, seemed popular with members of the audience who could remember life in the Sixties.

We were wondering why the word "Christmas" had been added to the show's title - but Act Two featured a cast of elves, Christmas Tree - and Father Christmas himself.

The finery of the Theatre Royal did seem a little grand for the production, which would have benefited from a larger budget to avoid the stage looking bare.

The simple set consisted of strings of tinsel and giant rainbow-coloured flowers fixed up to the microphones, with projected images of lava lamp patterns.

But by the end of the night, most of the audience were on their feet dancing to Solomon Burke's Everybody Needs Somebody.

Hold Tight It's 60s Christmas Night promises to be an enjoyable evening, but it would have been nice to see a few more people wearing mini-skirts, velvet jackets or at the very least, a bit of nylon.

Box office: 01904 623568

Updated: 09:25 Wednesday, November 26, 2003