Kate Griffin freelance journalism and editing

They certainly know how to build up an atmosphere at Cardiff's Glee Club. Five minutes before the show starts, there's a countdown - "Ladies and gentlemen, the show will be starting in X minutes" - accompanied by coloured spotlights and music which finally segues into the Pearl and Dean tune. Luckily, the compère, Simon Clayton, lives up to all the fanfare within a few moments of coming on stage.