"Anyone fancy reviewing a musical concert for kids?'' the news editor asked to nobody in particular.

Well, I may be an uncle several times over but I've yet to experience the pleasures of parenthood. But seeing as there seemed to be no other willing takers I found myself stepping into the breach. After all, on a gloriously sunny afternoon what could be more entertaining then sitting in a darkened auditorium with several hundred wailing infants? Tom Chapin is one of America's most prolific and popular writers of childrens' songs. Nominated for a Grammy several times over -- he's in the running again this year -- his CDs and videos have been best sellers in his native US. One of his songs was even used by NASA to wake up John Glenn and company aboard the Space Shuttle.

Chapin began writing songs in collaboration with Jon Cobert and Michael Mark, both of who were backing him on stage at this show, when he realised that there was no musical material out there which catered to the tastes of his two pre-teen daughters, who weren't quite ready for the "rebellion and love songs'' of popular music.

The result is a folksy, upbeat show full of warmth, humour and the odd moral message that appeals to kids and adults alike.

Right from the off Chapin had the young-and-not-so-young audience clapping their hands and singing along to the catchy choruses.

But the refreshing thing is that Chapin doesn't shy away from singing about how horrible kids can be and how much mayhem they can cause.

While one or two of the lyrics might have been a bit cloying for older members of the audience (whose opinion really doesn't matter -- after all, he's not singing to us) Chapin generally refrains from coating his lyrics in sugar and spice and all things nice, observing childrens' foibles in a humorous, non-judgmental way.

Underpinning Chapin's brilliant and sometimes very, very clever lyrics is his superb musicianship, equaled by that of his two co-stars.

Chapin showed off his musical virtuosity by playing a variety of instruments, including the guitar, dijereedoo and autoharp and also gave a superb banjo solo. Jon Cobert tinkled the ivories with aplomb and displayed his expertise by playing a classical recital, cleverly incorporated into one of the songs.

Michael Mark, on bass guitar and squeeze box, has a lovely singing voice -- it was a shame he was relegated to backing vocals for most of the show. All three performers harmonised brilliantly.

There are two more Kidfest concerts planned for February and March. If the quality of the performers are as high as in this show, kids or no kids I'd go along.

Gareth Finighan THEATRE REVIEW REV THR