THE Carousel has been running for almost 60 years now, but can still spellbind an audience with its dark tale of a tortured fairground worker killed while trying to commit a robbery.

The reputation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's famous musical is such that the full house overflowed into the streets before Monday's opening night show. Darlington's favourite leading man, Sam Kane, helped to swell this particular showground as the booming-voiced Billy Bigelow, the barker given a second chance in heaven to make amends to his neglected family.

The purists will be a little concerned that this is probably the most raucous version of Carousel seen so far, with the volume set at high rather than always tuneful. Jane Mark as Billy-infatuated mill girl Julie Jordan is a fine singer but sometimes struggles to display the emotional turmoil of an abused wife. Lynsey Britton as Carrie Pipperidge, the girl destined to marry Mr Snow (Richard Brightiff), leads the 19-strong chorus in a riotous celebration of songs like June Is Bustin' Out All Over.

Jill Pert, as grandmotherly Nettie Fowler, delivers the all-time favourite You'll Never Walk Alone during Billy's incredibly long death scene. There's a nice twist, garnering oohs and aahs, as Billy begins his spirit journey and Wayne Sleep's choreography signature is writ large in a dance scene between Billy's daughter Louise (Maxine Bowers) and Carnival Boy (Alan Byland). Plenty of swings and roundabouts and enough smoke to keep Flying Scotsman fans in raptures. They really don't write musicals like this any more.

* Runs until Saturday. Box Office: (01325) 486 555.

Published: 24/03/2004