RICHARD PARR The laughs came thick and fast in this hilarious production which featured a well-chosen cast, playing finely-drawn characters.

RICHARD PARR

The laughs came thick and fast in this hilarious production which featured a well-chosen cast, playing finely-drawn characters.

The curtain rises on a tap-dancing class in a drab-looking church hall being taken by ex-professional dancer, Mavis, and from then on we are gripped by the lives and problems of those in the class.

Joyce Rhodes skilfully directed her 10-strong cast of King's Lynn Players for Friday's performance at King's Lynn Arts Centre to bring to life wonderful comic dialogue which masks deeper feelings among the dancers.

The bitter-sweet production moved at the swift pace required to bring out some rich comic lines. Each of main cast members quickly won the audience's empathy for her character.

Kay Crome was an absolute hoot as Vera, the newcomer. This archetypal snob tries to take over with her over-bearing personality. Miss Crome was a joy as she bulldozed her way through with brilliant put-down lines.

Sharon Fox was well cast in the role of the class tutor who, despite her hidden personal problems, somehow manages, in three weeks, to turn her rag-bag of pupils into a dancing troupe who put on a heart-warming sparkling finale show.

Sue Willitts was wonderful as the all-observing pianist Mrs Fraser. A well-designed set, lighting and effective costumes contribute to the show's success.