The Music Room at Sidholme Hotel made a sumptuous setting for the Sidmouth Lions Club magical musical charity concert featuring a lavish measure of memorable and much-loved melodies from the shows of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, wonderfully performed by super songsters Vicky Campbell, Lyn and John Burgoyne and Wally Cotgrave.

The Music Room at Sidholme Hotel made a sumptuous setting for the Sidmouth Lions Club magical musical charity concert featuring a lavish measure of memorable and much-loved melodies from the shows of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, wonderfully performed by super songsters Vicky Campbell, Lyn and John Burgoyne and Wally Cotgrave.

Skilfully crafted by vibrant virtuoso Vicky and capably compered by the inimitable Wally, It's Show Time provided the audience with a real feast of popular and memorable songs.

A talented trio of masterly musicians (Dorothy Worthington on keyboard, Ruth James on violin and Helen Organ on flute) quickly created the right atmosphere as the singers came down the stairs, through the room and onto the stage, completing and elegant scene and joining together in It's a grand night for singing. The fantastic first half which followed included songs like June is busting out all over, and You'll never walk alone from Carousel and Hello young lovers from the King and I.

After delighting us with the ever popular Surrey with the fringe on top, I'm just a girl who can't say no and many others, the four singers combined to give a thrilling rendering of the title song from Oklahoma to close the first half.

The second half got off to a pleasing start with the title song from the Sound of Music, followed by more show stoppers like My favourite things, Eidelweiss and Climb every mountain.

The instrumentalists under Dorothy's direction, who enhanced the songs with their expert accompaniment throughout the evening, charmingly conjured up the atmosphere of the children's puppet scene with a yodel number.

In the final section we were treated to the joys of South Pacific, Vicky and Lyn's I'm gonna wash that man right out of my hair contrasting well with Wally and John's There is nothing like a Dame.

One dream in my heart and In love with a wonderful guy provided more magic.

The charming Some Enchanted Evening summed up this memorable musical experience and the show closed with a reprise of It's a grand night for singing.

Congratulations and our grateful thanks to the Lions Club and the brilliant performers who gave their services free of charge, but one question remains - how on earth do you follow that?

Roger Simmonds

Wally Cotgrave will take to the stage in Exeter next year in the popular musical Hello Dolly.

Having landed the part of Horace Van Dergelder in the Exeter Operatics Production, Wally is looking forward to getting to grips with his key role. The show runs from April 29 to May 4 and tickets will be on sale at the theatre's box office from January.