ALCESTER Amateur Operatic Society's all-singing, all-dancing, all-talking version of Singin' in the Rain proved this popular group to be as good as ever.

Despite a few first-night hitches, such as the odd sequencing of the seating (what did happen to row H ?), and an orchestra which at times overpowered the performers, this was a memorable show for all the right reasons.

There were one or two stunning performances and some very clever stage effects, but above all the show was such fun, and the audience loved (almost) every minute.

Lockwood and Lamont, two famous stars of the silent movies, are forced to progress to talkies - but the beautiful Lina Lamont (Hayley Willis) does not have a voice to match her looks.

Don Lockwood (Hugh Duck) faces ruin until his long-time friend Cosmo Brown (Mike Smith) suggests using Kathy Seldon (Rachel Gill) as Lina's voice over.

Don and Kathy fall in love, Lina is exposed and the show is a success.

Special effects included the use of video, which was well done and caused great amusement, and the rain for the famous lamp-post scene.

Costumes were lavish - even the curtain call - when all except the main characters were wearing yellow rain ponchos and children's umbrellas (it was like a sudden storm at Disneyland, Paris).

The supporting cast included Peter Woodman, Malcolm Steward, Kay Derbyshire, Jackie Bevan, Alex Steward, Jeff Gill, Graham Robson, Paul Alexander, Vicky Dance, Cynthia Hill, Debbie Salkeld, Karl Willis, Gemma Coles, Joanne Gill, John Mills, Hannah Thompson and Linda Yeomans.

Both leading ladies, Hayley Willis and Rachel Gill, gave excellent performances but the stars of the show were undoubtedly the dancing duo, Hugh Duck and Mike Smith.

AT