AS far as I am concerned, you can never go wrong with Gilbert and Sullivan, so I was delighted to see that the first half of this anniversary evening was a potted, concert version of HMS Pinafore.

Mike Birch was brilliant as Sir Joseph Porter KCB, and there were excellent performances also from Mary Sinclair as Little Buttercup, and Jonathan Darby as Dick Deadeye.

I think Robin McMillan must have been suffering from a cold, as he was obviously struggling with the high notes, and was a little croaky at times, but he battled on as Ralph Rackstraw. I was disappointed with Brian Potter's performance as Captain Corcoran, as he fumbled his words, despite having the score in front of him.

The chorus work was, as always, superb, and I enjoyed hearing those terrific songs.

The second half was ab-fab.

It began with the rousing Triumphal Chorus from Aida, following on with music from Carmen, when Mary Sinclair reprised the role she played in 1992 to sing Seguidilla .

Jonathan's rendition of the Toreador's Song was glorious, and then we heard a song I hadn't heard for some years, and I so enjoyed hearing it again - This is my lovely day from Bless the Bride, sung by eight ladies from the chorus.

It was good to see Muriel Bell in a guest appearance, having left the area a few years ago, and to hear her smoky voice in Fly home little heart, from Kings Rhapsody.

Claire Worboys, in her nightie, delighted the audience with I could have danced all night, then Mary returned to another role I associate her with, that of Julie, in Showboat, singing Fish gotta swim, ably assisted by Muriel and Jonathan.

No-one sings this song better than Mary. MD Judith Standing sang Farewell to my home from La Wally and the chorus almost lifted the roof off the town hall in the final chorus, which comes at the end of Turandot.

This was another superb evening from SCOS.

VJS