The musical, Half a Sixpence, was a huge hit in the late 1960s and early 1970s, before the new genre of musicals by Lloyd Webber and his lyricists hit the West End and Broadway stages.

The storyline is based on the novel Kipps by H G Wells and was adapted by David Heneker, who wrote the music and lyrics. In the early 70s, it was released for amateur groups and I remember performing in the Horsforth Grove AOS production at Yeadon Town Hall, with Malcolm Peach and Ann Garnett in the lead roles and directed by Jack Myers.

Things have gone full circle, and the show is back in Aireborough this week, being performed by Guiseley AOS. However, the show has changed recently and the latest version of Half a Sixpence has nine new songs.

It has all the familiar storylines and characters of the original show, but has been re-imagined for today’s audience, with additional scenes, bigger roles for some of the supporting characters, more pace and more humour. The chorus has as much, if not more, involvement and there are many new minor roles to give chorus members an opportunity to shine.

And one person who certainly shone on the opening night was Chris Nutall in the lead role of Arthur Kipps. This part is a highly-demanding one, as the character is on stage virtually throughout the whole production and, as well as two solo numbers, has five duets and a further 13 numbers. Chris has a good voice, is an accomplished dancer and a fine actor. I thought his renditions of Too Far Above Me and one of the new numbers, What Should I Feel?, were excellent.

Chris was well-supported by female lead Alison Wood in the role of Ann. Alison has a beautiful soprano voice, and her rendition of I Know What I Am was one of the highlights of the show.

There were some fine harmonies by the shop boys, Jeremy Handley as Buggins, Ian Hartley as Sid and Greg Wilson as Pearce, whilst their counterparts, the three shop girls – Melanie Beck as Victoria, Sally Holmes as Flo and Wendy Nutall as Kate – combined well with Alison in the number I Don’t Believe A Word Of It.

There is much humour in the show and the chief exponent of this was Gary Holmes in the role of Harry Chitterlow. His comic timing was excellent and his rapport, particularly with Chris, was superb. The “upper class” was well-represented by Jackie Campbell as Helen Walsingham, Michael Smith as James Walsingham and that doyenne of local theatre, Val Pennett, as Mrs Walsing-ham.

The chorus work was very good and I thought the new numbers blended in well. I must congratulate Cathy Sweet, the musical director, for her excellent work with the orchestra, who never overpowered the singers or chorus. The storyline flowed well, scene changes were slick, lighting and sound by Keith Webster and Richard Speight were first-class and the overall direction and choreography by Michael Kirby made this into a great evening’s entertainment.

It was a trip down memory lane for me, and I would highly recommend readers to see the show during its run at Guiseley Theatre this week. There are still a few tickets left for performances today, tomorrow and on Saturday, including the afternoon matinee. These can be obtained by ringing 08453 705045.