CELEBRATING its 75th anniversary by reprising its first ever show, the company raided its talented youthgroup, Footlights, to cast several lead-roles. Director and Gilbert and Sullivan genre-maestro David Tatnall ensured that the show certainly would have pleased any of the original cast gazing down from above.

Tatnall unfailingly gives goodvalue as a performer and his Pooh- Bah was predictably larger-than-life. The big stars, however, were the teenagers, in particular the Three Little Maids (impressive Northern accents!) Of these, Katherine Evans (Yum-Yum) had the biggest part, once again displaying great talent that belies her age, alongside confident pair Natalie Thorn (Pitti- Sing) and Ella Williams (Peep-Bo).

They were ably-supported by love-interest Harry Butterwick (Nanki-Poo), who sang well. Frank Allen was comical as Ko-Ko, the Grand Executioner, and Carole Lilly gave a very strong second-act performance as pushy Katisha. Rob Jones led a note-perfect orchestra on an excellent opening night when everything went well.