A TALE of love and gambling in New York City: Nathan Detroit and Adelaide Adams have been engaged for years but keep having to postpone their nuptials due to Nathan's gambling, and Sarah Brown, a prim and proper missionary worker falls in love with a sinner in the form of Sky Masterson.

The set of this show is wonderfully designed and the costumes are beautiful. Arthur Ellis, as Nicely-Nicely Johnson, is one of the highlights, with a beautiful voice and a wonderfully expressive face. He does a great double act with Michael Walker, as Benny Southstreet, singing Guys and Dolls. There were one or two moments where the sound wasn't very good and the dialogue was difficult to hear, but it had been ironed out by act two and was probably just an opening night hitch.

Nathan Detroit is played wonderfully as the loveable rogue, and Ken Horsley's vocals were impressive. Society Max, played by Robert Rowell, and the other gangsters make a great chorus and Katie-Lee Clemmet and the rest of the girls in the ensemble shine as the Hot Box Girls. Avril Blain, as Adelaide Adams, sings Adelaide's Lament very well and Samantha Currie, as Sarah Brown, looks the part as the sensible missionary worker. Their vocals were tuneful but a little weak in the first act, but by act two they were much more powerful. Russell Storey, as Sky Masterson, sang Luck Be A Lady very well and was backed by some great dancing. This is a very well-rehearsed and well-performed production.

* Runs until November 6. Box office (01325) 486555

Published: 29/10/2004