Little Shop of Horrors

This musical is great for schools to perform because of its zippy songs, larger-than-life characters and even larger talking plant.

Oakbank School certainly pulled off a crowd-pleasing production thanks to exuberant performances, excellent scenery and fine musicianship.

The teenagers zipped through the story of a wimpy flower shop worker who discovers a new plant as his passport to fame and fortune.

The plant thrives on blood so Seymour feeds it the evil boyfriend of the girl he loves, only to discover it is bent on world domination.

The principals tackled some demanding songs and mostly succeeded, with spirited acting making up for the odd ropey verse.

The strongest performances came from Sylvia Entwistle as Audrey, Daniel Naylor as the dentist, and the terrific six-strong girls' chorus.

Michael Moore was a hoot as Seymour, Ingram Blakelock impressed as his manipulative boss Mushnick, and John Hart was spot-on with the plant's voice.

David Knights

The Magistrate -- Bingley Little Theatre

Judging by the first night audience this 119-year-old farce was a popular choice. The costume piece by Arthur W Pinero was played according to its period with Peter Whitley as the magistrate in question stealing the show.

This was a large cast and a complicated show to stage with one or two hiccups which will disappear by the end of the run. Haydn Cavanagh's direction was pacey, with good timing and clever touches. It was a pity that some of the players could not always be heard clearly.

Despite this minor criticism, I enjoyed the play which ends its run tomorrow.

Sylvia Thompson

The Play What I Wrote -- Bradford Alhambra

Not only did this play -- probably the funniest thing I've ever seen on stage -- bring the audience sunshine, it brought the house down.

This production, an unashamed tribute to Morecambe and Wise is a riot, enough to make your cheeks ache and your stomach sore with laughter from never-ending gags.

The story concerns a double act played by Joseph Alessi and Ben Keaton. One wants to stage a Morecambe and Wise tribute, the other a play about the French Revolution.

All the coming timing, corny jokes and visual gags that made Eric and Ernie so brilliant were here, and the duo nearly had the show stolen from them by Toby Sedgwick -- brilliant with a range of hilarious characters.

There is also the added bonus of a mystery celebrity guest each night.

l Runs until Saturday.

Stuart Roberts