AFTER Jungle Book and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the company presented this new musical, in conjunction with The Kings Theatre, Southsea.

With an original script written by seasoned actor David Burton and loosely based on the HE Bates' books, set in the Kent countryside, Coronation Street favourite Steve Arnold took the part of Pop Larkin, made-flesh by David Jason in the popular TV series.

Making no attempt to adopt a Kentish accent, his broad Mancunian suited the show well-enough to dispel any comparison with his illustrious predecessor.

Heather Uden played Ma Larkin in addition to being the Musical Director and co-writing the music with Bob Good. For all this she deserves great credit, but without amplification she had the weakest voice and was often drowned by the lively chorus.

Alice Osmanski was confident and suitably flirty as the coquettish Mariette, whose less-than subtle seduction of Tax Inspector Cedric ‘Charlie’ Charlton soon had him eating out of her hand.

Scott Alexander was excellent in this role, his stiff-collared persona soon overcome.

Leah Lloyd is a quality all-round entertainer and she deservedly had top programme-billing for her series of cameo appearances here.

Artistic Director Richard Stride made an appearance as Bluff Gor and deserves credit for bringing it together all the aspects of this multi-functional theatrical company together.

Not entirely ‘Perfick’ enjoyable all the same!

Alan Johns