With a story by Wodehouse and songs by Cole Porter, Anything Goes is a creation that dramatises the glitz and glamour of the jazz age.

Ostensibly the tale of the hapless Billy Crocker's attempts to win the girl of his dreams away from her English buffoon of a fiancé, the real action happens away from the central romance. The story starts in Manhattan, where the liner SS American is about to set sail to England. As the passengers board, they have little idea that this is to be the trip of a lifetime, or that there are some very unusual characters on board.

David Wilson steals the show as Public Enemy Number 13, Moonface Martin, a gangster on the run from the FBI. The capers that ensue as Moonface and his moll, with Billy in tow, provide the comic action of the play. All manner of disguises are resorted to and there is one little dog in particular that is left hoping for a woolly jumper this Christmas.

Christian Brabin gains the audience's sympathy as the "broken broker", willing to throw away the little that he has left for his girl, played beautifully by Lindsay Farnworth. Kathy Turton and Vicki Wilson bring sex appeal as the seductive Evangelist Reno Sweeney and the man-eating moll Erma. A supporting cast pull off admirably difficult dance routines and heroic American accent. Delightful, as Cole Porter would undoubtedly have said himself.

Kat Dibbits

Despite the rather bizarre storyline the production, along with the S. S. America, floated along on a raft of excellent Cole Porter music and lyrics which make this an entertaining, light-hearted and watchable show if you don't take it too seriously.

Director Nora Howcroft provided the deft touch to steer the ship to a successful conclusion. Steve Taylor's orchestra coped well with the score and Delaney Brindle's choreography added considerably to the overall effect.

From the moment she stepped on stage Kathy Turton (Reno Sweeney) put her numbers over with power and clarity whilst Christian Brabin (Billy Crocker) has a promising voice and looked quite at home with the part. Mike Fallon was delightfully 'over the top' with his P. G. Wodehouse styled Lord Evelyn Oakleigh whilst David Wilson successfully milked the part of Moonface Martin for all it was worth.

Vicki Wilson was very good as the bubbly, swivel hipped gangsters moll Erma. The part of Hope Harcourt is not the best defined in the musical world. However, Lindsay Farnworth made the best of what the part had to offer. The experienced Joyce Walters (Evangeline Harcourt) and Don Howcroft (Elisha Whitney) both contributed fully to the overall production. The Angels, Charlotte Fallon, Karen Millington, Carole Brooks and Elizabeth Pycroft worked well together. However, I felt their costuming did little to enhance their showgirl image.

Otherwise costuming looked authentic and the stage set looked great. Congratulations to all concerned – a most enjoyable evening's entertainment. My thanks for the society's hospitality.

Glyn Neary