Directed by Nick Bligh with musical direction by Mark W. Dorrell, the musical comedy with book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, `A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum' opened at Daylesford theatre on Wednesday night.

An impressive set designed by Richard Klesnick transformed the stage into a kitschy facsimile of a street in Rome, two hundred years before the Christian era.

The musical tells the story of Pseudolus, a slave who uses his master's son's infatuation with a virgin courtesan as a means to procure his freedom. Unfortunately the beautiful and clueless Philia has been sold to the fearsome General Miles Gloriosus. The crafty Pseudolus, with the reluctant assistance of fellow slave Hysterium, must then create a number of elaborate fabrications and ruses to ensure that the smitten youngsters get together and seal his freedom. His quest is fraught with even more obstacles caused by mistaken identities and misunderstandings.

The first half of Wednesday night's opening show was somewhat uneven as the cast warmed up but there were still many fine performances. The luminous Richard Dymond was particularly outstanding as Pseudolus who also served as narrator. His impeccable timing and elastic facial expressions made him an absolute joy to watch. Even his pauses were executed with seemingly effortless precision. One pause actually received a round of applause.

His character's smooth manoeuvring was a marked contrast to Hysterium, played energetically by John Ross, as he ran about the stage carrying out the bidding of his master and mistress and the scheming Psuedolus.

Hero was played solidly by Tom Henderson and Happy Lindsay gave another very fine performance as his love interest Philia. Her extraordinary singing was especially outstanding in this production where some of the solo singing was a bit lacking, although the ensemble numbers were excellent.

Jane Lee who played Domina, Hero's mother, gave a strong solo performance of `Dirty Old Man', deftly alternating between a whining tirade and an impassioned declaration of her love for her philandering husband, portrayed by Dal Tucker.

Throughout the first half much reference was made to the powerful Miles Gloriosus and when he arrived, played by the impressive Stephen Notman it was clear that he was able to deliver. The show really took off once he made his appearance. His solo in `Bring Me My Bride', was one of the highlights of the first portion and served to whet our appetites for the second half. With real presence on stage his portrayal of a macho, primping, arrogant soldier was wildly entertaining. A stand-out in every role, no matter how small, he is a pleasure to experience on stage.

Ray Moore was hilarious as the befuddled old Erronius and a crowd favourite who supplied a running gag as he exited and entered the theatre as he was circling the seven hills of Rome seven times, as instructed by Pseudolus impersonating a soothsayer. The Proteans played with spirit by Shawn Angiers, Dan Demspter and Eugene De Rosa should be commended for their well-executed buffoonery. This trio contributed significantly to the hilarity.

During the splendid second half, which flowed much better than the first, they alternated between effete eunuchs and fierce soldiers, speeding on and off stage and helping to create the beautiful chaos.

The six young women who made up the Courtesans exhibited some nice dancing with Diletta Gillespie giving a refreshingly uninhibited performance as Vibrata.

`A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum' is all light comedy and BMDS's production boasts a fine cast who will keep audiences howling. It runs until May 18th.

ALLANSMITH