ADLINGTON music and Arts Society celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and this acclaimed company has certainly pulled out all the stops to mark the occasion with its latest production.

The Society went back to its roots choosing one of Gilbert and Sullivan's best loved musicals which had the audience roaring with approval.

Everything about the show was superb, from the opening tableau and the impressive reproduction of cannon fire to the rousing finale.

The classic absurd tale of duty and honour was exquisitely brought to life by a very strong cast, outstanding direction and excellent choreography.

The show tells the tale of Frederic, ably played by Chris Airey, who is released by his pirate masters from his apprenticeship declaring that he now must strive to destroy them.

And encountering the opposite sex for the first time, all seems to go well for Frederic enjoying his new-found freedom, until the pirate king returns to inform him his indentures have not expired and he must return to their service.

I don't think I would be revealing too much by saying everything is resolved in the end thanks to Queen Victoria.

It is difficult to pick out anyone for praise, but it has to be said that Philip Kay excells as the bumbling Major General Stanley who probably deserves a clutch of medals for his verbal gymnastics.

A show well worth seeing and a real treat whether you are a Gilbert and Sullivan fan or not. Dave Toomer

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.