Katherine Jenkins back after dazzling Geordies

May 4 2008 Wales On Sunday

WELSH diva Katherine Jenkins is back in Wales tonight in her high-kicking show Viva La Diva.

Kath, left, who’s going out with Blue Peter hunk Gethin Jenkins, is bringing back her song-and-dance cabaret extravaganza to the CIA in Cardiff for a two-night stint after fans demanded more shows.

Although she launched it in Wales last October, it’s proved so popular she’s teamed up with sizzling sidekick and prima ballerina Darcey Bussell again for another tour of the UK.

The second leg of the show, which will hit America later in the year with Take That’s Gary Barlow contributing, went down a storm in Newcastle where it played on Tuesday night to a packed house at the Metro Radio Arena.

The Geordies loved the glamorous mezzo-soprano with one reviewer calling her “breath-taking”.

Gordon Barr, entertainment editor for the Evening Chronicle, said: “It was a show of Vegas proportions – glamorous costumes, terrific lighting, an array of dancers, a wonderful band, and boasting more than just a sprinkling of cabaret dust. Jenkins brought forth her humorous side, with a lovely ditty from childhood, and told how she was over the moon with the Welsh rugby team being given the CBE – the Constantly Beating the English award!”

He added: “We simply don’t get enough shows like this these days (unless we head off to aforementioned Vegas).

“The size of the arena stage was perfect for a spectacle like this, and it simply could not have happened in many of our theatres. It will be interesting to see if the format can be expanded in any way, and if yet another tour comes off on the back of this one. I would hope so.”

The nation’s sweetheart has also been picked to sing the Welsh national anthem ahead of the FA Cup final.