AYDIN Onac and Lisa Peckham worked wonders to take The Chase by storm in their first class production of this perennially popular musical.

Superb performances by James Williams (Higgins), Tom Scutt (Higgins), Robert Bassett (Pickering), Ruth Westley (Liza), Lucy Harrison (Mrs Higgins), Judith Sanderson (Liza Doolittle), Lottie Oram (Mrs Pearse) and Simon Puttick (Doolittle) conveyed real understanding of the roles. As well as making some of the technically difficult numbers seem easy to sing, the choreographic and comic timings were wonderful.

From the beauty of Sam Eden's rendition of The Street Where You Live to the energy of up-tempo re-workings of Get Me to the Church on Time and With a Little Bit of Luck, the entire musical effect was never less than stunning. The orchestra was, as usual, on top form. One has to pinch oneself at times in order to remember it is a group of students that largely makes up the musical ensemble.

Costume and lighting were spectacular. The mood changes signalled in the music were ably echoed in the deft scenery transitions. These were made possible through the ingenuity of the stage set, built by Mark Herbert and Martin Banner.

Aydin Onac's original design ideas were beautifully realised by Sarah Morgans, Iris Dukes and John Beck. For visual effect, the Ascot scene took some beating. This scene was delightful, featuring the whole cast in what was a perfect harmony of colour, costume, lighting and expertly timed stage business.

MIKE WOODS