FOR nearly 40 years, Graham Fellows has
beguiled us with characters like John Shuttleworth and one-hit wonder Jilted John.
So our finalists
beguiled us with other works, beginning with Alexander Paniflov skirting the Beethoven, giving us a well-balanced Rachmaninov Etude-Tableau, and a technically brilliant Stravinsky Petrushka, all from memory.
Violinist Bradley Creswick
beguiled us with the theme from the film Schindler's List before being joined by guitar and accordion in some dazzlingly fast, foot-stomping cowboy fiddle tunes.
He
beguiled us with tales of ghosts - Sgt Harry Attrill, killed in a disastrous gun firing exercise in 1910 - and three of us heard things that went bump in the night.
Finally, these two enchanting musicians, so at home with their instruments,
beguiled us with Gershwin and Cole Porter (Begin the Beguine was touchingly encored at the emotional request of a dear old chap in the audience).
But not before Birmingham Royal Ballet has
beguiled us with the unfolding fantasy, courtesy of choreography by Sir Peter Wright and delightful music by Leo Delibes.
Nicole Kidman
beguiled us with her subtle, summery, cool blonde while all eyes were on Salma Hayek as she attended an event in a frosted pink wig, that was definitely inspiration for taking the plunge and doing something a bit different with your hair.
