ILKLEY'S King's Hall effectively becomes a fading vaudeville theatre for Gypsy, Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim's classic 1959 Broadway musical. Momma Rose is the monstrous vaudeville fixated showbiz mother who dominates this tuneful show. The manically-driven Rose is absolutely determined to turn her offspring into mega stars - whatever the cost. When Chloe Judge's brattish "Dainty" Jane elopes, Rose channels her star-making endeavours into Jane's shy sibling Louise, played by Pip Barton who morphs into the world famous burlesque strip tease artist Gypsy Rose Lee.

Ilkley Amateur Operatic Society have assembled an accomplished cast for their vibrant production of a show that has recently enjoyed great success in the West End.

The role of Momma Rose might have been tailor-fitted to Ilkley's Laura Judge who takes the showstopping songs Some People, and Everything's Coming up Roses at full throttle. Imperiously sweeping onto the stage clutching her pet chihuahua, Judge perfectly conveys Rose's whip crack humour, and in Rose's Turn - her final storming tour de force - the character's sad isolation. Ian White's dowdy Herbie - Rose's love interest and the family's agent - is the perfect foil. There is sterling support from a host of the society's multi-talented younger members including Daniel Burgess as the surly stage manager Yonkers and Fergal Mullan Wilkinson as Tulsa, Dainty Jane's betrothed. Helen Smith, Jane Collins and Loretta Marklew are the three clapped-out strippers who really sock it to the audience in their raucous number You Gotta Get a Gimmick.

The resident team of Mark Allan (director and choreographer), Andrew Walbank (scenery) and Pam Clarke (costumes) have successfully re-created the tackiness of 1920s and 30s vaudeville. Musically the show is in the safe hands of Mike Gilroy who injects psazz into Jule Styne's foot-tapping score.

Gypsy continues at the King's Hall on Friday at 7.15pm and Saturday at 5.30pm.

by Geoffrey Mogridge