In fact, all of the principals were first rate.
Jane Mark as Julie Jordan was bright and breezy, Geoffrey Abbott was just a little bit lecherous as Jigger and Lynsey Britton as Carrie, soon to be Mrs Enoch Snow, was well cast along side Richard Brightiff, who we last saw here at the Alex in the highly successful 'Singin' in the Rain' playing Cosmo Brown.

He was amusing and made great impact in his musical numbers 'When the Children are Asleep' and 'Geraniums in the Winter'.

Jill Pert displayed her operatic background and was particularly emotional in 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. Zoë Ann Bown was enticing as Mrs Mullin the blousy carnival owner.

Carousel

Wayne Sleep choreographed the ballet

The ballet sequence was well choreographed by Wayne Sleep, with the dancers making full use of the large stage and Jemma Beatty and Robert Armstrong were well matched and received considerable applause.

The chorus of young dancers gave it 100% and with good costumes and a pleasing set the scene was set.

Director Julian Woolford overall achieves a pleasing picture with strong individual performances, but I would like to have heard from the orchestra more of the 'oomph' associated with such great classics of the stage musical and for me the orchestrations were somewhat understated throughout.

This production continues on tour until Sam Kane goes into Panto in December, but he will be back playing the role of Billy from February to May 2004.

Clive Fuller.

Carousel is being performed at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, and is showing until Saturday 8th November 2003.