The Anvil was the venue for this extravaganza of popular song and dance performed  song and dance performed by The Basingstoke Tappers and Jazz Dance Company plus guests, under the direction of Tracey Kinchenton.

This was the 14th yearin which the company had presented itself to the local community and each new show seems to surpass the previous one in style, diversity of presentation and quality of performance.

The show drew its inspiration from musical theatre's greatest stage productions, including Mary Poppins, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, We Will Rock You, Fiddler on the Roof, Oklahoma, Summer Holiday, On the Town and many more.

Featured guests included professional singers Jenny Darren and Steve Pert, who are regualar contributors to the comapny's shows.

Returning for a second year was the excellent local 20-piece big band The Chosen Few Jazz Orchestra (leader Bill Castle). With guest guitarist Kenny shaw and arranger Dorian Kelly, the band provided the musical backing under musical director Duncan Waugh.

The dancers, in colourful dress, exuded energy and precision and clearly found as much joy in performing the routines as the audience did in seeing them.

The introduction of a version of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car and a scenic "flying Mary Poppins" and other scenic wonders brought rapturous applause - congratualtions to John Ford and helpers.

Francesca MacMahon, Lily Deemer, Jamie Cole, and Steve Brookman impressed with their singing.

It was a delightful evening and time and time again members of the well-packed auditorium were o their feet with applause.

Everybody involved in the production, both front stage and back stage, is deserving of high praise.

Basingstoke should be proud of the depth of talent which clearly resides in its local populace of the very young and the more mature.

John Deemer Snr