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This evening I visited the Kingswood Theatre in Bath to watch 42nd Street, presented by Zenith Youth Theatre.

The evening was a delight from the moment the orchestra, conducted by Musical Director Roy Page, played the first notes of the overture until the curtain fell after the final bows.

As soon as the curtains opened onto the audition scene and the company launched into their first big tap routine you could appreciate how much work the young cast, all aged between 13 and 21 years, had put into rehearsing this show and that impression remained with me throughout both acts.

The classic musical is based on the 1933 film directed by Lloyd Bacon with choreography by Busby Berkeley; it tells the story of Peggy Sawyer who lands a part in the chorus of a brand new show, despite being late for the audition, and who goes on to save the day by taking over the leading role when the original actress breaks her leg and the show is at risk of being cancelled – she learns the part in just 36 hours and becomes an overnight sensation.

The entire Zenith Youth Theatre cast were fantastic but, for me, Cara Withers as Dorothy Brock, Tom Corbishley as Julian Marsh, Sabrina Messer as Maggie Jones, Dan Lea as Bert Barry and, of course, Maisie Carter as Peggy Sawyer were outstanding.  The orchestra were also fabulous and it was lovely that they continued playing as the audience were leaving the theatre, ensuring that my colleague and I both found ourselves humming the show’s tunes on and off all the way home.

I enjoyed the whole evening but my favourite numbers were probably Lullaby of Broadway performed by the character of Julian Marsh and the whole company and About a Quarter to Nine, a duet performed by the characters of Dorothy and Peggy; both from Act Two.

Special credit must be given to Lynda Elvin, costume designer, who along with Ruth Edwards was also responsible for hair and to Carol Jones and Alison Lea who were in charge of make-up; these four ladies have done a fantastic job of creating the 1930’s look needed for the show and had obviously thought of every detail.

Congratulations to Zenith Youth Theatre on a fine performance, I thoroughly enjoyed my evening at the Kingswood Theatre and will be looking out for future productions.

42nd Street runs at the Kingswood Theatre, Bath until Saturday 18 February with performances at 7.30PM each evening plus a matinee at 2.30PM on Saturday.  Tickets cost £9.50 for the evening shows and £7.50 for the matinee; concessions are available for the Thursday and Friday evening shows only, priced at £8.

To purchase tickets please telephone 01225 835301.

For further information please visit www.zenithytc.co.uk.