OKLAHOMA Emma Knights Productions Four Oaks Farm Until 10 Jan 2016 Review by Fran Edwards I have seen a few versions of this musical, the original film, the TV version with Hugh Jackman and several others. I admit to loving the music and the funny dialogue, but I didn’t think this show could surprise me, and I was wrong. Apart from the fact that this is a very strong cast, a good orchestra – all backed by an imaginative production team – the star is the setting. From the moment when Curly (Andrew Crispe) rode in on his horse singing “Oh What a Beautiful Morning”, I was hooked. Crispe’s performance as the lead is worth the trip on its own, but there is more, so much more. Wendy Rayner inhabits the role of Aunt Ella and extracts every ounce of comedy in it. As Laurey Rebecca Raymond is feisty but charming and sings like a dream, making her duets with Crispe special. Alana Sheperdson is a cutely naïve Ado Annie, matched with the fresh faced charm of Charles Smith, as a cheeky Will Parker, another couple who do justice to the fun duets in this show. Michael Bates is an unsettling Judd, providing the surly menace needed for the role and handling the difficult songs of this role possibly better than I have heard before. Ali Hakim was brought to life by Andrew Turner, as slippery a travelling salesman as you would want to meet. Verity Colyer’s comedic talents were put to good use as Gertie Cummings, and oh that laugh! James McCluskey-Garcia was Andrew Carnes, Ado Annie’s father and led the “Farmer and the Cowman” at the box social, displaying not only his acting skills but a fine voice. Even the minor roles were filled with accomplished actors like Angus Smith, Josh Barkley, Melanie Smith and Serena Martino, with the occasional orchestra member filling in. In all it is a balanced, talented cast lead by director Fiona DeLaine, MD Mark DeLaine and choreographer Shenayde Wilkinson-Sarti, who overcame all the difficulties of singing in the open air and dancing on grass! The four-legged members of the cast, Chief and Boy, were really well behaved. Special mention has to be made of the sound provided by All Pro Audio, every word was heard and the balance between cast members and the orchestra was superb. It was delightful to have the other soundtrack running too, the cows, the crows (who made a timely appearance in Judd’s song) and the other farm occupants. They added an ambience, which is impossible to achieve in a theatre, and was part of the wonderful setting. This is Oklahoma with a difference, a fun production of a well-loved musical – it only has a few performances, don’t miss it.