OUT of the winter’s cold and into the warmth of the Kenton Theatre to be thoroughly entertained by a rollicking jaunt through the 13 operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan.

The fayre presented was a collation of songs from each show, warmed by the exuberance and gusto of the players, brought to the boil by the good pace and tempo of the pianist and presented for our consumption and enjoyment.

A selection of songs, solo and chorus pieces from each Gilbert & Sullivan show, cleverly linked together with skilful dialogue started with Trial by Jury and finished with The Gondoliers — identified by themes of strange love, magic, misunderstanding and food — made for fascinating entertainment.

The Putteridge Bury Gilbert & Sullivan Society from Luton is an amateur group, but blessed with singers who, on the whole, have excellent diction, delivery and comic timing.

Notable performances included Laura Abella with a stunning soprano voice, the mischievous and flirty Paula Fraser, Graham Breeze’s strong tenor voice and the comic expressions of Paul Kerswill.

The sketch was drafted, detailed, polished and put into production by Paula Fraser, who created a lively, sharp and energetic show using the many talents of the cast, with most members of the ensemble taking the lead at various times.

She was backed by the excellent playing and musical direction of Margaret Johnson. Whilst the scenery was minimal, the use of hats and props enhanced the action of each excerpt, together with the animated interactions of the cast.

It was over all too soon, leaving a taste for more and finishing with the popular coppers’ song from Pirates of Penzance — ‘A Policeman’s Lot is Not a Happy One.’ We had had a delightful evening and, in the last words of the song, ‘A Happy One!’

Tony Critchley