HEREFORD Musical Theatre Company’s current production of 42nd Street is guaranteed to get toes tapping - the story isn’t a big one, but the device it employs of a musical within a musical offers plenty of opportunity for dazzling numbers, numerous costume changes and some great roles for a talented cast.

And it’s a show with an impressive cast, the stage packed for the big numbers and creating maximum impact with stunning displays of tap dancing.

Peggy Sawyer, a touching performance from Samantha Stokes, has arrived in New York to follow her Broadway dream, and after a false start, she finds herself in the chorus of Julian Marsh’s make-or-break production, Pretty Lady, starring Dorothy Brook (Trudy Connolly) whose sugar daddy is bankrolling the show. Jon Stacey’s Julian had presence - believable both as the martinet determined to ensure that the show goes on and as a man who finds himself unexpectedly struck by Cupid’s arrow - while Trudy Connolly perfectly captured the bluster of a star who knows her moment in the spotlight is vanishing.

As always, though, with HMTC, the great joy of the production is in the ensemble playing - the energy and obvious enjoyment on stage transmits itself effortlessly to the audience, and the terrific tap dancing on display almost had me signing up for classes and heading off for a pair of tap shoes. Almost ...

42nd Street runs until Saturday at The Courtyard. Check ticket availability on 01432 340555

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Hereford Times: The Courtyard - Herefordshire's Centre for the Arts