WHY, I was left wondering, has this charming but lightweight musical earned a place in the record books as Broadway's longest running musical?

It's a piece of whimsy with one recognisable song (Try To Remember) and a slim story about young lovers kept apart. The two are brought together after the girl is kidnapped by El Gallo and his incompetent assistants

The path of true love proves bumpy, with the pair having to see more about the world before the inevitable happy ending. That's all there is to it, and I can understand why the show never caught on here. But Harrogate director Hannah Chissick deserves a pat on the back for giving it another go.

The first-rate production does everything possible to bring the show to life. Philip Witcomb's designs are clever, with the all-important wall full of hidden surprises.

The superb cast deliver both the songs and the comedy with gusto, led by Alistair Robins as the dashing if morally suspect El Gallo.

Dean Stobbart and Sophie Bould's young lovers are attractive and nicely sung as they discover that there's more to life than romantic love.

Stuart Sherwin as an absent-minded thespian and Tim Stedman as his Indian assistant provide most of the laughs.

The Fantasticks is a curiosity that lovers of musicals will want to add to their catalogue of shows seen.

* Until April 23. Tickets (01423) 502116.

Published: 14/04/2005