ABOS’s production of this endearing but tragic tale of love and lost opportunities was bright and enchantingly executed, writes Andrew Powell.

Containing all the necessary ingredients of light opera, one expects love and happiness to be intermingled with tragedy in equal measure, and we certainly got all that in heaps.

Rodgers and Hammerstein opened with their second collaboration on Broadway in April 1945, after the hugely successful Oklahoma and while the Second World War was still raging.

The story revolves around shady carousel barker Billy Bigelow, whose romance with millworker Julie Jordan comes at the price of both their jobs. He attempts a robbery to provide for Julie and their unborn child, and after it goes tragically wrong, he is given a chance to make things right.

ABOS used large projected stills as backdrops to all the scenes to great effect, adding depth and reality to the sets.

Usually mentioned last, it’s worth saying that, as usual, the 14-piece orchestra provided faultless accompaniment to the proceedings, ably directed by Austin Poll.

Experienced David Steele was wonderfully casted as Billy – his sturdy voice and self-assured manner led the show strongly, while Sophie Grogan’s powerful voice and presence as Julie provided the perfect pairing. Her voice also complemented well that of Jo Hargreaves as her eccentric friend Carrie Pipperidge, who also provided a strong and impressive female lead.

Her other half Enoch Snow was confidently and delightfully played by first-time principal Michael Treagust, who it was stated in the programme was nervous about his casting – he shouldn’t have been as he came over as self-assured but in a pleasantly quiet and businesslike manner.

Cocky criminal Jigger was well executed by Will James, while veterans Melanie Hart as Nettie Fowler and Jean Chalk as Mrs Mullin were engaging and gave confidence to the proceedings.

Kirsty Hendry as young Louise and Jacob Finch as Enoch Jr provided a delightful pairing in the second half, their youth and agility providing charming routines in the closing scenes.

JJ Walsh provided a stamp of authority as Mr Bascombe, while David Ballard and Alison Medway made heavenly characters as the Starkeeper and Heavenly Friend respectively.

The remarkable thing about this show is that everyone played a strong and meaningful part. The leads played their part, yes, but everyone was given a job to do, whether that be acting, singing or dancing – it must have been fun to be part of, so congratulations to producers Carole Massey and Bev Hatton for another triumph!