Sitting on picnic blankets in the picturesque gardens of Queen’s College, we couldn’t be further from the illicit dens of the 1930’s New York underworld. But, from the moment the young hoodlums strutted onto the grassy stage to belt out the show’s opening number, I knew that Frank Loesser's Broadway classic was in good – and charismatic - hands.

In their makeshift open air theatre, the band and cast have to compete with noisy helicopters, distant sirens and endless chiming bells, but none of these distract from the buzz of this intelligent and lively production. The performers have their vocal chords well and truly tested and happily, they rise confidentially to the challenges of the show’s biggest and best-loved tunes, like Luck Be a Lady and Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat.

Euan Campbell is charismatic (if a little quiet) as the no-good gambler Sky Masterson, bringing out the mischievous humour of the part artfully. And, with a voice fit for Broadway itself, Rose Rands is tremendous as the goodie-goodie mission leader, Sarah Brown. The show’s got swagger by the bucketful, but it’s also got heart, and the developing love story between the gangster and his moll is handled with remarkable sensitivity.

Hannah Bristow (Miss Adelaide) and Fen Greatley (Nathan Detroit) also deserve applause for striking and professional performances, aided by their magnetic chemistry. Fearlessly embracing the nasal Brooklyn accent, Justin Drennan’s makes Lt. Brannigan an unforgettable minor character.
 
Under Sara Pridgeon’s direction, the young cast and crew bring plenty of new ideas and a youthful charm to this Broadway classic. And they serve it all up with enough good old-fashioned razzmatazz to send you home with a real swing in your step.