As the title of this show suggests, we have now reached that phase in our all-embracing Festival which is billed as "family entertainment:'' a moment to catch the breath in the midst of so much culture -- and to give the kids a night out.

That a show of juggling, acrobatics, magic tricks, blacklight rope spinning and brilliant laser beams spinning shapes fantastical still manages to cast its spell in this age of television and computerised visual wonders, is a triumphant vindication of live theatre. This was immediately apparent from the reaction of the many children in the audience, who were soon swept up into the spirit of the thing, laughing at the slap-stick comedy, gazing wide-eyed at all the special effects and loudly applauding juggling feats that were genuinely spectacular.

Lazer Vaudeville was founded by American Carter Brown in 1987. He is a highly accomplished juggler, and apparently the only bicycle rim juggler in the world. With his two supporting performers, there was also an exciting display of rope spinning and, with the assistance of a hapless volunteer from the audience, an anxiety-filled juggling sequence where gleaming machete knives replaced the usual plastic clubs.

The show began with a short display of laser light which transformed a darkened and fog-filled City Hall into a world of sci-fi geometric and searchlight patterns. What with the music and sound effects, it was a bit like being in the middle of the London blitz, but this soon gave way to the gentler world of blacklight wizards who floated crystal balls. Then we were finally introduced to the "host'' of the show, a seven-foot fluorescent, fire-snorting and occasionally dancing dragon who periodically wandered on and off for a spell onstage, but was nowhere to be seen at evening's end.

This, presumably because all three members of this valiant little group were required for an impressive session of three-part juggling in blacklight. Randy Johnson and Jennifer Plante are competent performers who brought some wacky humour to a mimed acrobatic sketch on sexual harassment in the office to the tune of "Nine to Five''. They also provided the dance element of the programme with an effectively lit pas de deux that seemed reminiscent of the apache dance , so popular in the golden era of American vaudeville.

Both Carter and Brown have strong circus backgrounds (Carter was with the famous Ringling Brothers) and although Jennifer Plante is primarily an acrobatic dancer she also has extensive training in magical illusions.

One of the several definitions of vaudeville is "variety entertainment,'' in which various turns are presented without any apparent connecting theme. This was certainly the approach adopted by this group, emphasised by a disjointed, stop-and-start aura to the evening which lessened the surely desirable build-up to the grand finale.

There is no doubt that these young performers are technically gifted. What they need to develop now is the presentation of their individual strengths in a more cohesive framework. If they lack professional polish, this is compensated by an easy humour which certainly appeals to children, and a rare ability to transmit their sense of daring and fun to the audience.

-- Patricia Calnan.