THERE’S nothing like a cheerful musical to banish the winter blues, and they don’t come much more cheerful than this one. Its other big advantage is that everyone knows the songs, and I’d be surprised if anyone leaves the theatre without humming either the title number or the ever-popular Lambeth Walk.
Given that All Saints is primarily a dramatic society they have a surprising number of good singers, well whipped into shape by musical director Alastair Hume, and that combined with their extremely high acting ability, Lesley Lock’s sure direction and Suzi Mollet’s fine choreography has produced a thoroughly enjoyable show.
Martyn French, as cockney barrow boy turned earl Bill Snibson, is a real charmer who sets an enviably high standard. It is well matched by the rest of the cast, not least Rebecca Legrand (Lady Jacqueline Carstone) and David Heaton (Hon Gerald Bolingbroke), who, like Martyn, display a great gift for comedy that keeps the audience in fits of laughter.
Pip Newman is a lovely, albeit slightly reticent, Sally Smith, and there are splendid characterisations too from Paula Davies (Maria, Duchess of Dene), Tony Edwards (Sir John Tremayne) and Kevin Knight (Parchester).

Linda Kirkman
Courtesy of the Bournemout Daily Echo