All Change, The Anvil

FINALLY the vision of poet Ian McMillan and composer Howard Moody comes to life on the - dramatically-altered - stage of Basingstoke's Anvil.

On a centrepiece black platform with atmospheric lighting and a cast of 50 children and 75 adults, a story of a day on a train unfolds, where the world is controlled by the menacing figure of the station controller, played with great authority by Paul Connolly, resplendent in malevolent red.

This community musical is a truly massive undertaking, with spirit by the bucketload. Preparation and rehearsals have been going on for many months now, as professional hands have guided the amateur volunteers of all shapes and sizes, all from the local area.

I was lucky enough to get a glimpse before the show officially opened, and saw how a section of society and cross-section of life has been originally captured with innovation and enthusiasm.

The musical presents us with a variety of those who appear at a station on any standard day of the week - commuters, a group of school kids on a trip out and an elderly group of passengers.

The schoolchildren are played by youngsters from Four Lanes Junior School, some of whom have a career in the bright lights ahead of them, judging by their ability - both responsively and vocally - as parts of the ensemble.

Modern technology has been utilised successfully throughout, with both a projector screen and interactive video playing a key role in the combination of word and motion.

Add to that puppets, people and a lot of pizzazz - including a role for the Haymarket's press officer Sue Harris - and you end up with one heck of a show.

All Change opened last night and runs until Sunday. Call the box office on 01256 844244 for ticket details.