A diamond anniversary deserves a sparkling performance and Cassio Operatic delivered one with aplomb at an extremely well-attended (despite the rain-sodden conditions) matinee show last Saturday.

Directed by Nikki Scott, the show is successfully updated from the ‘20s to the ‘50s, where small town America is still marching to its own tune, but the era provides a lot of scope for colour and fun in the costume and choreography department. The composite town set is a joy to behold in itself.

Slippery salesman Harold Hill, given the razzle dazzle by tap-dancing actor Stewart Jordan, falls for librarian Marian Paroo, given fine voice by Cassio stalwart Julie Lilley. Since the cast changes vary from performance to performance, it would be unfair to single out other players, but all concerned did brilliantly with mastering the American accents and the fantastic, Busby Berkeley-style dance routines on numbers such as Marian The Librarian and Ya Got Trouble. The talented band and vintage lady dancers also deserve note. All that remains, is to wish Cassio many happy returns and give thanks for a thoroughly entertaining show from one of the area’s most accomplished companies.

Melanie Dakin