EXUBERANCE, colour and cart-loads of youthful energy - all the hallmarks of a Pump House Children and Youth Theatre production are well in evidence in its latest venture, Godspell.

This musical hit the London stage 26 years ago, with David Essex, Jeremy Irons and Marti Webb as its stars.

The gospel-based show about the last seven days of Jesus' life has lost none of its impact and the songs, including Day by Day and Light of the World, are as fresh as ever.

The 30-strong Pump House cast gives its all in an amusingly updated version - even Teletubbies and Reeboks get a mention - while costumes are distinctly Nineties club style with not a flowing robe in sight.

Oliver Mardling is the undoubted star of the production with his fine tenor singing and sensitive acting. Jesus is a tough role to carry off, but Oliver manages to convince us he is a charismatic leader with a devoted following of disciples, all devastated at his betrayal by Judas and his death on the cross.

He is well supported by an enthusiastic cast, including Russ Clancy who copes well with the difficult task of portraying both John the Baptist and Judas.

Solos and featured performances, other than by the principal actors, were spread over the performance and special mention must be made of Josie Davis, John Cumbers, Shelley Hazell, Ria Scott, Ian Duggan, Kate Dorsett-Bailey, Hannah Billington and Emily Staveley-Taylor for their excellent efforts.

The chorus dances and sings with enthusiasm and energy, making it easy to overlook the very occasional ragged choreography and off-the-mark singing.

Fun and jokes, tears and pathos are there in abundance, the cast skilfully engineering mood changes as the story unfolds.

Everyone enjoyed the comedy killing of the fatted calf, in stark contrast with the compelling image of Jesus dying on the cross, his body borne sorrowfully away shoulder-high by his disciples.

Company member Ben Atkins told me during the interval, in which the cast mingled in the foyer with the audience, that 15 solid weeks of rehearsal went into fine-tuning this high-energy production, which ends tomorrow (Saturday).

This dedication showed and everyone concerned should feel very pleased with the end result. Godspell is old English for good news and the show is certainly that for its audience.

Musicians Paul Ibbott, Lee Farman and Simon Cook did a superb job with the complex score, providing a wonderfully professional accompaniment for the young cast.

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