THE capacity audiences which filled the Bryce Institute for Burneside Amateur Theatrical Society's Showstoppers IV, produced and directed by Steve Hall, certainly got value for money.

The show consisted of songs and dances from the shows interspersed with sketches performed by Steve Hall and Paul Sullivan.

The production got off to a good start with songs from The Sound of Music by the company, assisted by the junior dancers and flautist David Edmonds, together with the very young children, the majority of whom were under seven.

Praise must go to Kathryn Irving, the children's coach who brought the very best out of the children.

Three solo numbers, Tell me on a Sunday sung by Vickie Hunter, Tell me its not true, by Elaine Burke and Unexpected Song by Mirian Dix were all sung with great feeling.

The first half ended with a selection from The Little Shop of Horrors with solo numbers well performed by Elaine Burke and Mark Crook.

When the curtain opened on the second half - a selection from My Fair Lady - there was an audible gasp as eyes feasted on the stunning tableau.

There was so much of quality packed into the show and every item deserves a mention, but that would be impossible.

What really came over was the overall enthusiasm and commitment of the company as a whole.

But Steve Hall's mime and impersonation of Dolly Parton was certainly worthy of note.

ML.