ENTERTAINMENT might be the new religion, but the society seems to be praying for good fortune after being forced to drop plans for Jesus Christ Superstar to celebrate its Diamond Jubilee Year and opting for an ambitious version of Johan Strauss's comic operetta.

A small opening audience does not bode well for a ten-night run when the hard-working amateurs have put together a beautifully costumed, and lavishly set show with a full 23-piece orchestra.

Recent audiences have welcomed the more contemporary songs of West Side Story, Copacabana and Guys And Dolls, so the waltz king's masterpiece is a test for both viewers and cast. Director/choreographer Martyn Knight uses his singing resources as best he can for this tale of jealous and wandering-eyed Gabriel von Eisenstein (the lusty-voiced David Curtis) being taught a marital lesson by his friend Dr Falke (Kevin Murray). Eisenstein is tricked into attending a lavish party instead of reporting to prison for a minor misdemeanour. His wife Rosalinda (Avril Blain), maid Adele (Susan Limbert) and gaol governor Frank (Trevor Allen) are also secretly on the guest list. Limbert's confident and controlled singing performance is at least one prayer answered and the comedy of Gary Winn, as drunken jailer Frosch, and Allen, as the equally imbibed Frank, are real crowd-pleasers. You can't fault this production in terms of effort but not all soloists are as comfortable with the songs of 1870s Vienna as they'd like to be. Oklahoma (Oct 26-Nov 5) may be the answer.

* Runs until April 30. Box Office: (01325) 486555

Published: 22/04/2005