Three star singers, Ruthie Henshall, Alex Bourne and Tim Howar, the splendid London Theatre Orchestra supporting and enhancing, and Richard Balcombe, one of the best known and respected conductors in the business of musical theatre, performed a programme devised from many of the time-tested, much enj-oyed popular shows. Pleasure was guaranteed.

The entire performance was delivered superbly, exuding classy style and professionalism.

The singers transferred from one characterisation to the next, with diction clear, varying tone colour and inflection, and using body language of minimum gesture.

Among the wealth and variety of musical numbers the show opened with the trio singing a spirited All That Jazz from Chicago, moving on to a selection from Kiss Me Kate when Ruthie sang sensitively in Always True to You Darling, and Alex deliberated on Where Is the Life That Late I Led? before they joined in sentimental duet for So In Love.

Tim featured in a brilliant portrayal of Mr Cellophane from Chicago, and he was powerfully poignant in Empty Chairs at Empty Tables from Les Miserables.

Ruthie and Alex's duet Anything You Can Do from Annie Get Your Gun was sung with humorous panache, and the trio gave a zippy rendering of There's No Business Like Show Business, from the same musical.

Ruthie's raucous Cockney Oom! Pah! Pah! from Oliver! was in stark contrast to her duet with Tim All I Ask of You from The Phantom of the Opera which was sung beautifully.

The three singers concluded the evening with a cleverly arranged medley from The Sound of Music including Edelweiss and Climb Every Mountain.

This production was of the highest quality, intensified further by lighting to fit the pervading mood.

Jill Hopkins