Reviews Extra

Amongst the sea of old Goths, middle aged housewives and Leeds' vibrant gay/lesbian fraternity that help make up tonight's audience, is a shared excitement.

Knowing smiles and bright-eyed glances pass around Leeds University as collectively people await a performance they thought they would never see.

It's nearly 18 years since Soft Cell last played Leeds and here they are, keyboardist Dave Ball and singer Marc Almond standing on the same stage, beaming down on an ecstatic crowd, a little older, a little wiser but none the worse for it, as the spirit and sentiments remain.

The duo soar into the opening track Memorabilia, ahead of its time back in '81, that still sounds fresh as a daisy today. They dutifully honour their back catalogue performing The Art of Falling Apart and Heat before airing some new numbers.

Marc's athletic yet warm stage presence draws in people as though they are close friends who have grown up together with him. A touching rendition of the classic Youth sees the man behind me break down in tears, summing up the intensity of the audiences emotion.

Torch and Bedsitter alter the mood, seamlessly dragging us through a passionate singalong, extending throughout Tainted Love which predictably bring the house down.

By the encore of Say Hello Wave Goodbye everyone is chanting the words, each with varying singing abilities, all with hearts in their mouths.

There isn't a dry eye in the place. The cynic could easily argue that tonight was a shameless indulgence of pitiful nostalgia, but I would like to think of it as an event that has captured the magic most artists and fans would kill to a part of.

JAMES HEWARD

GAME: Resident Evil Code Veronica X

The Resident Evil series dishes out yet another classic in the survival horror genre, this time for the PlayStation 2.

After achieving some success on the Dreamcast, this game is an absolute must-have.

It's a beauty - it looks great, plays well and has plenty for everyone.

Devoted fans of the series and those new to the Resident Evil experience will not be disappointed with the release.

You will soon catch up with the ongoing story and know what to expect: zombie blasting, puzzle solving, monster dodging and running around collecting things.

All this sounds boring but it's far from that.

Code Veronica X is hugely entertaining, very dark and dangerous and a cracking game.

DEAN HARNESS

CHILDREN'S BOOK: Foul Football Great Big Quiz Book

Question: "How did Sheffield Wednesday get their name?"

Answer: "They were formed by shop assistants who had to work all day, every Saturday, and could only play on their early closing day, which was Wednesday."

This is one of the interesting questions in this quite funny book about the history of football. The only thing I dislike is that questions and answers are sometimes hard to follow as they are a way apart.

It would be a good Christmas present for football fans as it is a hardback and like an annual.

JAKE SILSON (10)

VIDEO: Popstars Extra Hear'Say

The original Popstars video was a faithful collection of scenes from the TV series. This second tape is a better bet for fans of Hear'Say the band because it focuses on only the five winning wannabes.

There's lots of "never before seen" footage following the progress of Kym, Myleene, Danny, Noel and Suzanne through the audition process, linked by interviews with all five.

There's even the quintet's views of loopy old Darius. What you don't get is anything about Hear'Say's career once the TV series ended with their single getting to number one. Even so, the video is an ideal Christmas present for anyone who likes/respects/fancies one or more of the Hear'Say crew.

DAVID KNIGHTS

BOOK: The Italian in the ATS

This is an autobiography and follows the diary kept by Nella Voss-Del Mar throughout the Second World War.

In 1939, being Jewish, Nella escaped from the racist campaign in Italy and became a refugee in Britain.

The only jobs on offer were of a domestic nature, and when she heard that the Minister of War had formed a type of "foreign legion" for women she couldn't wait to join up.

The diary is not just an account of Nella's movements around the country from camp to camp, but tells of the people she met, both army personnel and civilians.

It is a window on their treatment of her, her feelings of despair and frustration as she carries out daily chores, of happiness in forming friendships, and constant worry about her family still in Italy.

It is interesting to read not only of how women and their capabilities were viewed by the military hierarchy, but also of the demeaning way in which foreigners were regarded.

Here was a highly intelligent, well-educated woman one would think would be valued for her translation skills alone, set to clean the latrines!

Equally, it is interesting to see the use Nella put to her time in the army in studying and visiting different parts of the country. Seeing the places through her eyes puts a fresh view on those you might have visited yourself.

Like all good stories this one has a happy ending, which Nella fully deserves.

* The Italian in the ATS costs £7.50 from Arthur Stockwell Ltd, Elms Court, Torrs Park, Ilfracombe, Devon, England, EX34 8BA. Phone 01271 862557.

BERYL SIMISTER

VIDEO: The Wedding Planner

Jennifer Lopez puts down her microphone to show why she's one of the most watchable female actresses in Hollywood.

She shines in a light comedy role that could easily have been played by Sandra Bullock or Julia Roberts.

To the world she's the ultra-cool, perfectly-groomed, always-prepared woman who makes the bride's big day go without anything remotely resembling a hitch.

In reality she's a ditzy, accident-prone girl who lives alone and desperately tries to avoid the men her father sets her up with.

Lopez spends an enchanting evening with the man who saved her from a car accident, falls in love - then discovers he's the husband-to-be of her latest client.

As if a complicated love triangle isn't enough, she's being wooed chased by a childhood pal who thinks he's engaged to her.

The Wedding Planner is a hugely enjoyable film that blends hilarious farce and sweet romantic comedy - and has a happy ending for all concerned.

DAVID KNIGHTS