Me And My Girl, Solihull Operatic Society, Solihull Library Theatre

Apr 30 2008 By John Slim

TWO voices stand out in the vocal department in Stephen Duckham's production.

We have to wait until the second half to hear Judy Preece, as the Duchess, sing Song of Hareford with resonance and fine control.

But Rebecca Noble, as Sally, has more and earlier opportunities and she takes them splendidly, Cockney accent and all - her only recurring problem on the first night being trying to discover which way a door opened.

In the central role, Des McCann was a far better Bill Snibson after the first-night interval than he was before it.

John Mills (Sir John) joins him in a lively account of Love Makes the World Go Round and Clive Cartwright is an eccentric delight as Parchester, the family solicitor.

Emma Wheeler is a splendid society saucepot as Lady Jacqueline in the classic seduction scene that is built on You Would if You Could.

There are lively dancers and spirited chorus work, but there were obvious difficulties with the sound in the early stages. It was loud enough to affect the clarity of diction and turned hearing the words of several musical numbers, directed by Richard Taggart, into an unexpected challenge.

The show runs until Saturday.