IT might have been regarded by some as a safe option, following last year’s imaginative choice of the Witches of Eastwick, but the operatic society’s decision to back the tried and trusted for one year was justified by a brilliant opening night on Monday.

The plot highlighting attitudes to race within the US military during the Second World War is not only ahead of its time for a musical written in the Forties, but still has relevance today.

The musical stands or falls by the performances of its five principals, with the parts of US army nurse Nellie Forbush (Francesca Rose-Troup) and plantation owner Emile de Becque (Michael Green) proving to be perfectly cast.

The comedy parts of Luther Billis (Noel Harris) a Bilko-like rogue, and South Pacific islander Bloody Mary (Linda Short) were also spot on, Short’s Happy Talk earning a huge cheer from the audience.

Nigel Douch played the straight heroics of Lieutenant Joseph Cable with sensitivity, especially when singing the difficult You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught.

Rose-Troup and Green have some of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most enduring numbers to perform – Some Enchanted Evening, Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair, and This Nearly Was Mine. The pair’s opening night performances bodes well for the rest of the week.

Graham West and his orchestra underpinned an energetic and swift-moving production with a sympathetic treatment of a score. The chorus was slick and enjoyable, and was a tribute to Martyn Knight’s direction.

Four youngsters from Newcastle’s small Filipino community are sharing the parts of Emile’s children, who are central to the plot.

Monday’s openers, Jaycel de la Cruz and Hannah Hernandez, were word-perfect and showed no signs of nerves.

■ Until Saturday. Tickets: £7- £20. Box Office: 08448-112- 121 theatreroyal.co.uk ■ Next year, the West End Operatic Society stages Jerry Herman’s Cage Aux Folles

Iain Williams