Mack & Mabel - Wales Millennium Centre

ANYONE with a passion for musical theatre is absolutely certain to relish this new production of the Broadway hit Mack & Mabel, which opened at Cardiff's Millennium Centre on Wednesday.

The lively score by Jerry Herman features catchy numbers such as the moving I Won’t Send Roses, the jazzy Hundreds of Girls and Time Heals Everything.

Hollywood legend Mack Sennett is played by a confident, commanding Michael Ball - veteran of the musical stage, having starred in Aspects of Love and Phantom or the Opera among so many others.

This story is based on the rocky romance between Mack and the much younger acclaimed actress Mabel Normand, played by Rebecca LaChance, who quickly rises to fame and stardom under his direction and who falls in love with him despite his sad lack of romantic gestures.

Mack & Mabel is set in the early 20th century, when the first filmmakers were making silent movies featuring 'bathing Belles' with slapstick humour and the laughs coming thick and fast.

A few excellently choreographed scenes, especially that with the Keystone Cops, also make this show very visually appealing - and the imaginative set designs, with very effective use of some old movie clips, add to this.

The orchestra is very visible, playing high above the stage, with musical director Robert Scott keeping the fast pace and changing rhythms going throughout.

This musical is funny then it's sad, it's a great romance - and it is also a fitting tribute to the old movie industry that has now changed beyond all recognition.

The cast get a well-deserved standing ovation at the finale - if you're a musicals fan, this should definitely be on your to-see list.

The show is at the Millennium Centre until Sunday

Helen Morgan