RICHARD PARR King's Lynn Players at King's Lynn Corn Exchange

RICHARD PARR

Rodgers & Hammerstein's evergreen musical Carousel first burst on to the stage nearly 50 years ago.

But this latest production was full of freshness and vitality thanks to the talented and hard-working cast and orchestra, under the baton of Sam Ashby.

Love blossoms on the carousel on the coast of Maine as smooth-talking barker Billy Bigelow romances innocent mill worker Julie Jordan.

As the romance unfolds, the audience is treated to some of the all-time favourite R&H melodies, including If I Loved You and June is Bustin' Out All Over.

Carousel features songs so well known we forget where they came from. This is particularly true of You'll Never Walk Alone, which most people treat as a soccer anthem.

Veteran Player Chris Fox as Billy coped well with the demanding lead role, contrasting with his sweet-natured leading lady, Lucinda Stump, who gave a lovely performance.

Carousel is a bitter-sweet story – the romance of star-crossed lovers Billy and Julie, contrasting with the funny and endearing Mr and Mrs Snow, played by Tom and Jenny Clarke. Their duet When the Children Are Asleep was a favourite with the audience.

The leading players were well supported by Bronte Stump as Nettie Fowler, Adam Howard as Jigger, Alison Ding as Mrs Mullen, and Laura Farr as Louise Bigelow.

The production was a visual treat and director and choreographer Sharon Fox pulled out all the stops. But at times the show lacked pace.

Carousel continues until Saturday October 11.