"UNASHAMADLY old fashioned" is how Cole Porter's musical Anything Goes is described in the programme by James Haworth, general manager of Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre, where I saw the show.

And it was gloriously so. The costumes were fantastic and the high spirits of all the performers brought the swinging 1930s back to life.

The show started 15 minutes late because of technical difficulties but the show did go on to a magnificently lit backdrop of a ship.

The song, the moves and the scenery were dazzling, but for me the talented Gemma Craven topped the bill as she played hip-swaying Reno Sweeney.

Her voice was fabulous and the audience agreed with me as she got a standing ovation at the end of the show.

I was expecting Jonathon Morris --Adrian out of TV's Bread -- to be quite wet as Billy Crocker, but he proved to be a total all-rounder.

He blasted out the hits including I Get A Kick Out Of You and It's De-Lovely with total enthusiasm, and was very convincing.

Wisecracking Moonface Martin was played by Billy Boyle whose own humorous personality shone through.

Anything Goes is a cheesy but very enjoyable love story and the cast seemed to put their hearts and souls into all of it.

Everything was bright and breezy and I left the venue on a definite high note.