Seven Brides for Seven Brothers began life as an MGM film, and was one of the highest grossing movies of its era. Sitting in the New Theatre last night, you could tell that the majority of the audience were there for that very reason.

The basic story is this. Up in the mountains one day Adam decides it's high time he found himself a woman to cook, clean and do all those things that a woman should. So he goes to town, does a little shopping and picks up Milly, who accepts his proposal without a second thought. That comes later, when she makes it up the mountain to discover that they will be sharing her marital home with Adam's six bearded brothers. Being a hearty, headstrong woman, Milly stays. It's a good job too, because after having her in the house for a few weeks, the other brothers decide they want in on this wife-business, and who better to train them from uncouth mountain-men to dapper young suitors than Milly? Alas, even her efforts are not enough and, taking inspiration from the Roman kidnap of the Sabine women, the brothers turn to kidnap in order to get some girls back to their place. Obviously the town's men aren't too pleased about this (although the women seem ecstatic) and a showdown ensues once spring comes, and the townsfolk can get up the mountain to confront these no-good women-stealing brothers. For fear of spoiling the ending, I won't tell you how it turns out, but I suspect the title's given it away anyway..

Nowhere but in the world of musical theatre could you take a story like that in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and make it into an excellent piece of theatre - and make no mistakes, this is a hearty helping of old-time musical fun. Sure, there are one or two "issues" in thrown in for good measure, and a little bit of elementary American history to boot. But don't go to this show expecting anything less than an all-singing, all-dancing musical comedy. A brilliantly executed musical comedy, I should say - this show's success is down to the talents of the touring cast. Shona Lindsay sings with passion and conviction as Milly, the brothers dance like a dream and Dave Willetts is perfectly cast as Adam, the uncouth mountain-man turned good by his woman. The company numbers are thrilling, although, unfortunately, few and far between. Nonetheless, the pace of the show never falters, the actors are engaging, and you may just find yourself forgetting that kidnapping your future spouse and taking her to your ranch for the winter isn't the done thing.

he set was slightly disappointing, with its cardboard cut-out trees giving an unfortunate impression of pantomime (although this is perhaps not altogether inappropriate, given the storyline.) The band is excellent, if a little loud, making the singing difficult to hear at times. These are small complaints, however. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is good, old fashioned musical fun, and is on at the New Theatre until Saturday 22nd October.

Hanna Johnson, 19/10/2005