THE cockles of many hearts were warmed when the Alexandra theatre staged their Christmas extravaganza to an appreciative audience.

It is hard to believe Me and My Girl was created at the last minute; Saturday Night Fever was originally planned to headline the Station Street theatre's seasonal programme, but pulled out a matter of weeks before curtain call.

And it was veteran actor/director Charles Vance who saved the theatre from a gloomy Christmas by staging this merry musical.

However, I didn't know what to expect as I grabbed some popcorn, dashed to my seat and waited for the gigantic curtain to drop, but I am the first to admit I was far from disappointed.

The accomplished Hal Fowler takes to the stage as Cockney lad, Bill Snibson, complete with a dictionary of rhyming slang, who is like a fish out of water when he finds himself heir to a fortune and shacked-up with a family of aristocratic misfits.

It is the challenge of Maria, Duchess of Dene, to train Bill to behave like a gentleman in order to earn him his family rights, played well by Joan Savage.

Yet it was star of the London production, Louise English, who truly illuminated the stage as Sally Smith; Bill's lovely Lambeth lass.

I feel the first half was a little flat, however the audience soon warmed up when they were coaxed into joining in with all time favourite The Sun Has Got His Hat On at the start of the second act.

I still enjoyed the two-hour long production, which runs until January 19, and would recommend it to all this festive season.

E.B