I REMEMBER going to the film version of Thoroughly Modern Millie in 1968 when I was in my teens. I enjoyed it as an afternoon of fun with a bit of glamour. However, this Footlights production of the show directed by Tom Carpenter offered so much more.

Not only was this musical designed to lift harassed New Yorkers out of their depression, but, here was a show directed at fantastic speed. There were plots and sub-plots that reflected New York society at its most frenetic. Furthermore, there was a moral. You cannot serve the god of Mammon. If you try he will let you down. It is the god of love that wins the day!

There were some great performances in this show. First there was Millie, played by Rosie Abraham. Rosie's Millie was a go-getter. She sang with the force and passion of one used to getting her own way, and that included a ring from the smiling Jimmy, her secret millionaire. In contrast, was Helen Cheeseman, as her friend Dorothy who was delightfully demure. Cheeseman sang with the sweetness of one who is very young.

The boarding house in which these people stayed was run by a Mrs Meers, a failed Hollywood actress, who never appeared without her two querulous Chinese assistants. The music was a collage of traditional jazz, Gilbert and Sullivan and even Tchaikovsky!

Finally, the stenographers, led by Millie, kept perfect time with the click-click clacking of their typewriters! Thoroughly Modern Millie got many standing ovations thanks to Naomi Shaddick and her awesome band!