The centre of Bristol was last night filled with people wandering around with an inane grin on their faces and with a distinct aura of happiness. They had just witnessed a performance of 'Singin' in the rain' that could not fail to ellicit such a reaction.

The stage version of what is often regarded as the best Hollywood film musical was a joy in every respect.It is in many ways the 1950's equivalent of our present day 'jukebox musicals', being made up initially of a series of showstoppers joined by a tenuous plotline - in this case about the first tentative move from silent movies to talkies. However the final version is a masterpiece of its type.

This was here given the slickest, and most pacy of productions . Anywhere else and the irrepressible Stephane Anelli (Cosmo) would have stolen the show but his superbly engaging performance was balanced throughout by the rest of the cast.This included Vicky Binns who played Lina Lamont with cosummate comic timing and Morgan Caulfield , excellent as R.J.Simpson.

Stepping into the shoes of Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds is an almost impossible task but the two leads (James Leece and Amy Ellen Richardson) were a revelation. The 'Singin' in the rain' routine (complete with 12000 litres of water) was rechoreographed expertly (though the front rows will have been left distinctly damp) and 'Good morning' had all the necessary joie de vivre.

Of the many superb dance sequences, which incorporated every imaginable dance style, the surreally erotic dance of Jenny Legg in Act 2 was a particular highlight.

If you love musical theatre (and even if you don't) I suggest you beg,steal or borrow a ticket for this terrific show.