THE Wild West is in town all this week and the whole circus gang are putting on a show that deservedly received a standing ovation from a delighted first night audience.
Irving Berlin certainly knew how to write hit songs as this classic musical show generously demonstrates with its all-singing, all-dancing routines that take a lighthearted look at the real life story of the rivalry between a gun-happy couple who earn a living by shooting it out on stage.
With songs like Doing What Comes Naturally and There’s No Business like Show Business, the production is staged under a circus big top that also doubles as a train, a ballroom and even a cattle boat as the cast sing and dance their way through a musical that never falters.
The vivacious Emma Williams is in top vocal form in the starring role as sharp-shooter Annie Oakley with a likeable Jonathan Wilkes taking over the role from Jason Donovan as her gun-toting rival Frank Butler in a show full of energy and humour.
An onstage orchestra maintains a first class standard in this lavish touring production that in spite of its paper thin and dated plot, is a visual treat.
Excellent dance routines – in particular those by the men – keep up the joyous pace and if you can skate around the patronising racism and anti-feminist storyline, you are in for a real theatrical treat.
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