Centre Stage Company's new musical, Our House, goes down a storm at Haverhill Arts Centre

This musical was as good, if not better, than any Centre Stage Company show that i have seen at the arts centre, writes Steve Barton.

I swear that almost everyone leaving the arts centre after watching the musical was singing or humming to the tune of Our House, or Baggy Trousers, or maybe It Must Be Love - i know that I was.

The story followed the fortunes of Camden boy, Joe Casey, from the evening of his 16th birthday, when he broke into a housing development overlooking his home in Casey Street with girlfriend Sarah.

Two parallel stories were then acted out, one that showed what happened after Joe was captured by the police and the other after he fled, leaving Sarah behind.

Wes Ruthven, as Joe, and Amber Brewster, as Sarah, gave performances mature beyond their years, backed up by a wonderful supporting cast that brimmed with infectious joy and enthusiasm.

The choreography by Laura Dodd was, also, brilliant.

It's always unfair to single out individuals for praise when a show is pulled off as well as this one was.

So i shall praise the whole cast, including Ava Lee and Faye Dower, who played Sarah's two best friends, Beau Cripps and James Player (Joe's sidekicks), Charlie Moody, who played the dastardly property developer Mister Pressman and Sophie Street, who had numerous roles.

And i must commend director Megan Mayes, musical director Lee Mayes, the band and the crew members for all doing such a good job.