Filling the Bristol Hippodrome this week is the sound of 'Seventy-Six Trombones' as Bristol Light Opera Club takes to the stage for its most recent production of 'The Music Man'. 

The action takes us - together with travelling salesman Harold Hill - to River City, a small town situated in Iowa. Hill sets about his 'work' in the town as 'Professor' Harold Hill, setting up a band and convincing parents that each and every child of the town must be bought a uniform, have a musical instrument and enrol in Hill's revolutionary music programme. As the plot develops, we meet the Paroo family, including librarian and spinster Marian Paroo. As Hill continues weaving his web, he sets eyes on Marian, who is decidedly cool with him, the well-read book-lover then embarking upon some research of her own which confirms her suspicions about the 'music-man'.......

The curtain went up to reveal the interior of a railway carriage. The first number was difficult to time and, unfortunately, some of the words were lost, but it was nevertheless a good attempt in which the audience was introduced to some of the ideas would were to be involved in the storyline. The second scene took us to the centre of River City, revealing a minimalist  set and a chorus adorned in appropriate period costume, as Harold Hill made his first appearance to the townspeople.

Simon Vardakis gave a sustained and energetic performance as Harold Hill and particularly memorable was the musical number in the first act, 'Ya Got Trouble'. For me, Kelly Allen as Marian Paroo stole my undivided attention - her characterisation was sensitive, her movement comic and appropriate and her melodic singing voice flawless. Her solos 'Goodnight, My Someone' and 'My White Knight' were delightful and particularly notable was her beautiful diction when both singing and speaking.

Other well-portrayed performances came from Chris Parslow, whose resonant voice and comic ability were just right for his Mayor Shinn, the hilarious Eulalie Shinn, played by Marilyn Norton-Smith and Clare Templer and Nic Gibney as the bubbly Zaneeta Shinn and mischevious Tommy Djilas. The children and younger people who appeared in this production must be mentioned. They were confident, sure of their steps and really added spark to the piece (particularly the tiniest little girl - a sure star in the making!)

Choreography was well executed and the 'Library Ballet' was very effective. Lighting and sound were complimentary and generally well-cued. There was a number of instances in which actors were blocking each other or facing upstage.

I do feel that, as a musical, the writing lacks substance, which is a shame - though the principals appeared to do their best to make the most of a weak script. However, this was an enjoyable production, all the more so for having a super orchestra under the direction of Christopher Northam, an energetic cast and some polished principal performances.

So, if you want to join in the playing, march on down to the Hippodrome and join in the band as they strike up for the rest of this week at 7.30pm, including a matinee performance at 230pm on Saturday. Enjoy!