They Got Crazy Rhythm BATS polish up the must-see musical for Gershwin fans.

Crazy For You is a lively 1930s musical and a must-see for any Gershwin fan. Packed full of popular numbers such as Bidin' My Time, Slap that Bass and They Can't Take That Away From Me, this show does not disappoint and had me smiling and humming from start to finish.

Director and choreographer Martyn Knight really took this polished, bouncy show to the audience.

His impressive Follies girls performed an endless display of dazzling routines. Likewise, musical director Trevor Defferd led a punchy and enthusiastic orchestra through an almost continuous score. Right from the overture, you could hear the band members really enjoying themselves.

Nice Work If You Can Get It demonstrated the collective talents of director and MD, with a nice dance routine and excellent harmony from the Follies girls.

The highlight of the evening was I Got Rhythm - a stunning routine and almost a show in itself, with girls being swung on pickaxes, tap dances on gold digger trays and girls being played 'as a double bass - there wasn't much they didn't bring in to this astounding number.

Crazy For You follows the young, rich Bobby Child (Bryn Hughes) and his dream of dancing on stage. Bryn's energetic well-rounded performance was full of life and played excellently opposite Clare Ryan as the feisty Polly Baker. Clare's wonderful singing voice shone sensitively in Someone To Watch Over Me.

Starting in Broadway, Bobby auditions for Bela Zangler - a strong performance by Rob Wilson, using comic timing to full potential. Failing in this, Bobby is sent out west to Deadrock by his bank exec mother, to foreclose on an old theatre. Need I say more? Bobby sees his opportunity and, disguised as Zangler, creates his own show in the theatre. After much comedy and dance, his show is a success and he inevitably gets the last dance with Polly.

This was a stunning spectacle from BATS, with colourful costumes, good voices and energetic dance routines that left you speechless. Quite simply, you'll not see a better amateur production than this in the area.

Daniel Maskell