5 Stars

*****

Although this was were I started in reviewing, Musical Theatre is a genre I don’t often cover these days but such was the buzz I decided to return to my roots and check it out for myself.

This musical has been bubbling around in the mind of writer composer Paul Boyd for a while now and at last he has managed to get it into a reality with a funny script and filled with good music.

Set in the village of the well named Little Happening, three couples run three rather under used shops, Jemma and Jake a hairdressers, Ruth and Robbie, a watch repairers, and Margaret and Malcolm a dress shop and maybe all is not right in this sleepy village.

Who has bought the old church? Who is the stranger in town and why did all the clocks stop?

As well as writing this piece, Boyd also is the director, so there is no conflict of ideas here, it is well staged especially given the constraints of the stage area and an fantastically talented cast to perform some excellent songs, some of which have a hook so strong they could land a shark.

The seven strong cast of Tara Flynn, Conleth Kane, Orla Gormley, Christopher Flynn, Leanne Jones, Kevin Hynes, Russell Morton and Tommy Wallace breathe life into the characters and all sing so well and all are a added bonus to this class production.

I sense there could be the potential of a cult following in the offing here, perhaps an alternative to Rocky Horror. Who knows. But wouldn’t it be good to get in on the ground floor. Go see it now.

Reviewed by Geoff

Assembly Rooms Ball Room

2-26 August

16-45 to 18-15