AS I had not heard the contents of the programme, imagine my delight when I found the first half was Trial by Jury.

George Lloyd called for 'silence in court', introduced the dignitaries in the audience, and the fun began, under the direction of new MD Tim Hackett.

Jonathan Darby was brilliant as the judge, making the most of his explanation as to how he came to that exalted post.

George Lloyd and Alan Savage acted their parts well as counsel for the plaintiff and the defendant respectively.but the timing of the "gentlemen of the jury" was a little ragged.

In the second half we heard Vilia from Merry Widow beautifully sung by Vivien Seville, and Claire Worboys and Mary Sinclair treated us to items from Show Boat.

To my delight, the evening ended with more Gilbert and Sullivan. There were some wobbly passages in the Chorus of the Peers, but the Gondoliers, extracts were excellent.

VJS.