IT was great to see the young folk of Kidderminster Operatic and Dramatic Society's youth section (KODYS) so obviously enjoying themselves while entertaining us last week.

This was a shortened version of the Gilbert and Sullivan favourite, but most of the familiar music was there.

Accompanist Margaret Rogers got us all in the mood with a superb performance of the overture, and the costumes were excellent.

All the cast played their parts well, and I can't name them all, but the two young lovers, Frederick and Mabel, were portrayed excellently by Oliver Clark and Rachel Bloomer, who both have good voices, and Grant McWalter, who played the Major General is undoubtedly a star of the future. His song was taken slower than usual, but how this young lad could remember all the words was amazing - he never faltered, and they are difficult words. He also had the mannerisms, and presence, of the character.

Stealing the limelight were the cowardly coppers! Tom Paine was superb as the Sergeant, slightly reminiscent of Goody (Thin Blue Line), creasing the audience with a look. The other four policemen - Tom Wood, Carl Myatt, Jack Ludwig and John Millichip - joined with Paine to give the funniest performance I have ever seen (and I have seen plenty) of A policeman's lot is not a happy one, which reduced the audience to hysterics.

Congratulations to director Denise Churchett and musical director Pam Craven for a brilliant production, and the entire cast for giving us such a happy evening. VJS