Pictures by Sally Parkinson

Carousel, Mercury Theatre, Colchester. Until September 17. 01206 573948.

FOLLOWING a run of more modern productions such as Legally Blonde, the younger branch of Colchester Operatic Society are producing this Roger and Hammerstein 1945 classic.

Cynical me wondered why they were doing such a creaky old musical when there are so many wonderful musicals around at the moment. Cynical me got slapped in the face by one of the best ensembles I have seen lately, and this is a challenging musical that the young company are more than capable of achieving.

Essentially the story of an unhappy yet loving relationship between Billy Bigelow, a carousel barker, and Julie Jordan, who gives up a more respectable life to be with him, the show is unusual in its tactic of killing off Billy, and giving him one day on Earth 15 years later to set his daughter on the right path.

Billy is a complicated hero/anti-hero, frustrated by his circumstances he hits out at his wife and, on the day he learns she is pregnant, attempts a robbery, is caught and kills himself.

Will Mugford gives the performance of his career so far as Billy, making him human, flawed and sympathetic. His singing of the eight minute Soliloquy is a show highlight.

He is matched by the wonderful Jenny Collins as Julie, superb vocally and emotionally while Ella D’Arcy Jones is a revelation as Carrie, funny and engaging, especially when working with Wade Ablitt as Mr. Snow, her intended and then her husband - a hugely enjoyable pairing.

Emily Bate gives an excellent performance as Nettie Fowler; leading the company into a spirited June is Bustin’ Out all Over and Connor Pratchett is suitably comically menacing as Jigger Craigin.

Yes, the show has dated, especially in its sexual politics. But it was also a show ahead of its time, with his balletic sequences, long periods of stage time featuring just two characters and in its attitude towards death.

But this company approach the material with total commitment, and under the direction of Nikki Mundell-Poole and musical director Emma Nash, they deliver a stunning, beautifully sung, performance with not a weak link in the ensemble. And, of course, it contains THAT song. If you are not moved by You’ll Never Walk Alone, then you have no heart. At that point, cynical me had dissolved into a pool of tears!

PAUL T DAVIES