RICHARD PARR Watlington Players

RICHARD PARR

The festival moved out to a rural community with this fringe contribution by a well-established enterprising theatrical group.

There is a strong feelgood factor in this show and this was well exploited in some great comic one-liners.

Its well-known musical numbers, notably Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat and I've Never Been in Love Before, were well presented.

The Players are always trying new ideas and the audience found themselves seated at individual tables, creating a real extension to the Hot Box nightclub on stage.

And it was cabaret singer and dancer Miss Adelaide that won Kay Crome much-deserved applause. She had convincing stage presence and the American accent in her role as the long-suffering fiancee of Nathan Detroit.

She was cast opposite Players' veteran David Lilley, playing Nathan, a compulsive gambler who has managed to fend off marrying Miss Adelaide for so long.

Players' newcomer James Willis made an impressive debut as Sky Masterson, the hard-bitten suave gambler.

There was some strong cast support notably from veteran Stan Turner as Nicely Nicely Johnson and Jimmy Harwood as Big Jule.

The Hot Box Dancers were a joy to watch and very popular with the audience.