Me and My Girl is a musical set in the late 1930’s, written by Noel Gay. The story introduces us to our central character, the unapologetically and unrefined cockney gentleman Bill Snibson, played with comic timing by Kevin Myers, as he embarks on his journey to Hampshire after learning that he is the fourteenth heir to the Earl of Hareford, and is under instruction to change who he is so he can take his rightful place amongst the “snooty” aristocratic family the Hareford’s, who in turn make it perfectly clear that Bill’s common cockney girlfriend Sally isn’t welcome.

Right from the start of tonight’s performance, I felt there was a lacking of confidence, energy, and pace, but this could have been down to first night nerves. However that a side, there were a few of the cast who stood out from quite a large ensemble cast. Joel Collins brought great humour to the musical as the quite camp, Charles the Butler. Peter Williams was brilliant to watch as the occasionally drunk Sir John Tremayne. However, I found Katherine Bluck’s characterisation of Sally Smith excellent, and the vocals of “Once you lose your heart”, captivating. It was at this point I felt I was actually watching a musical.

So if you like oldies such as “Lambeth Walk” and “Leaning on a Lampost”, then head down to Blackwood Miners Institute, every night at 7:15pm until Friday.