FOR some wild reason, the darkness of Oklahoma! always fair knocks me off my horse. This new production, by Music & Lyrics and Royal & Derngate Northampton is no exception.

From the rousing, punchy overture, we are left in no doubt that life is damn hard for this self-policing rabble of Sooners, edging towards becoming the 46th State of the US . The set is a marvel of wooden walls, an all-present reminder of life in a troubled mid-west Territory.

Chief instrument of darkness is Jud Fry (Nic Greenshields). To our inclusive 21st Century sensibilities, it is hugely problematic that our hero Curly tries to persuade Jud to hang himself. Heck, there’s even a song for the purpose. The crime? Being a bit dodgy and having a few questionable pictures tarting his shack up.

It’s not all doom and gloom though. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s score is a goldmine of iconic numbers that we could all sing along to, if we weren’t polite enough to let the Pros do it very, very well. If there were mics, they were magically unobtrusive and the sound was absolutely spot on. Alongside the major romance between tom-boy Laurey (Charlotte Wakefield) and Curly (Ashley Day) we have light relief and star quality in the perfect plaided form of Gary Wilmot as Ali Hakim, the slightly sleazy pedlar. Belinda Lang as Aunt Eller is fabulously wiry and dishevelled, but for me, a little too goonish at times. Ultimately though, this strong, talented team have struck gold and brought new life to a classic musical.

Runs until Saturday. Box Office: theatreroyal.co.uk or 08448-112121

Sarah Scott