I WALKED out of Carousel, wish I had done the same with Fiddler On The Roof, and yet love Guys and Dolls as well as Little Shop of Horrors.

My views on musicals vary considerably as I find the Sound of Music too sweet, while I am convinced Les Miserables is most aptly named.

It was with some trepidation the other week that I drove to Cheltenham to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream coat.

I had seen it several times before.

Would it not seem too familiar?

Not at all!

The production was bright and innovative and the performance by a talented cast was exceptional.

They received a much deserved standing ovation.

The show enthralled me but it was the audience that surprised me most.

Yes, there were young families there but many of the audience were middle aged or more.

I had expected that myself and even Penny would raise the average age of those attending.

We may even have lowered it!

Perhaps my fellow theatre goers had been cast members themselves.

After all since it was fist written over 50 years ago there have been many school productions, and those gracing the theatre on Thursday may have memories of past performances or had seen children or grandchildren happily enjoying performing.

It is the words of Tim Rice that particularly appeal.

Not for me a saccharine version of someone’s favourite things.

I would much rather listen to Joseph advising Pharaoh that ‘the things he saw in his pyjamas were a long range forecast for his farmers’.

Then, joy of joys, as we were leaving the theatre I noted Buddy was on in November.

The second half with memories of the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens is unbeatable.

It will be seats in the stalls this time.

I may find the urge to get up and dance irresistable.