An absorbing and inventive ride

Set in 19th century New England, it told the story of Billy Bigelow, a fairground barker whose troubled marriage and life end in suicide when a robbery goes wrong.

He gets a chance to redeem himself by returning to earth for a brief visit to inspire his now teenage daughter, Louise, to believe in herself. TJG1ST

Trevor D Oakes’s expert direction gave full value to both dramatic and comic moments – many of the latter supplied by Ian Byrne as the villainous Jigger.

Andrea Clare was the warm heart of the piece as cousin Nettie, singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, Kirsty Hogge danced gracefully and acted sympathetically as Louise, while more comedy came from Lizzie Abbott and Tony Pullin as the pompous, ambitious fisherman and his irreverent bride.

As Julie, the mistreated but devoted heroine, Carly Cunningham sang beautifully and found all the pathos in the role. Oliver McLaughlin gave a commanding, charismatic performance as Billy Bigelow, with his father and sister also in the cast. Jo Butt devised the apt choreography and the orchestra was in the capable hands of Roy Mathers. This was an absorbing and inventive production which was enjoyed immensely by a capacity audience. KLOS’s next show,

Call Me Madam, will be at the same venue in March and details will soon be on the website; www.klosmusicaltheatre. co.uk