Bye Bye Birdie, Nelson Theatre Royal, Thursday August 17

Nayland College started work on Bye Bye Birdie in December last year and extensive preparation is evident in their exuberant and engaging presentation of this popular musical.

Bye Bye Birdie was first produced in 1960, inspired by the conscription of Elvis Presley and the resultant hysteria which surrounded his departure. It is unashamedly escapist with an amusing script and a lively score, ideally suited to a young cast.

The music is a strength of this production. All leads sang confidently, ably accompanied by an assured orchestra directed and conducted by Nigel Weeks.

Ruby-Ann Burgess playing Rosie, has a mature voice and powerful delivery as well as a strong stage presence.

An escapist musical requires comedy as well as the requisite heartache and this is supplied by an hilarious performance by Indigo Levett as Mae Peterson and a cameo by the supple Tacy Eyles as the tap- dancing Gloria Rasputin.

Levett has an excellent sense of comic timing and delivery and she was warmly acknowledged by the audience. The male leads are also strong, Fynn Sawyer as "mommy's boy" Albert Peterson and Harry Stocker, the caddish Conrad Birdie.

This is a young and enthusiastic chorus with all individuals committing, (take a bow Howard Johnson). They will no doubt become more confident in the adeptly choreographed dance sequences as the season progresses and their polished vocal delivery is particularly evident in the Hymn for Sunday Evening which bizarrely honours Ed Sullivan and show cases the fine singing of the MacAfee Family.

A school production is as much about process as product-and this cast are clearly enjoying themselves as well as entertaining their audience. They can feel proud of their effort and what they have achieved.