You can't say no to this Oklahoma hoedown

Oklahoma: Chichester Festival Theatre (until 29 August)

Let's face it, whether you find musicals like this Rodgers and Hammerstein staple a field of old corn or a treasure chest of gems, there's no denying the string of top notch songs on show.

When you've got a first half stuffed with numbers like Oh What A Beautiful Mornin', The Surrey With The Fringe On Top, Kansas City, I Can't Say No! and People Will Say We're In Love, you find yourself being hummed into submission sooner or later.

And this zingy take on the tale of an earthy farming community in the early 20th century has some great performances to keep things moving along, with director John Doyle's pacy production keeping the audience engaged throughout.

Standouts include a lovely character performance from Natalie Casey (known to fans of Hollyoaks and Two Pints of Lager and A Packet of Crisps) as incorrigible flirt Ado Annie; a good comic turn from the experienced Michael Matus as wily pedlar Ali Hakim; and a nicely menacing presence from Craige Els as spurned outsider Jud.

Louise Plowright holds everything together as Aunt Eller, Michael Xavier is suitably charismatic as Curly and delivers the strongest male voice of the evening, and Leila Benn Harris has charm and poise as Laurey, the object of his affections. Nikki Woollaston's choreography is great fun to watch and superbly executed by some excellent dancers, of whom the acrobatic Michael Rouse as Will Parker deserves particular mention.

The staging was extremely simple, with effective use of draped backdrops and a sloping stage used to particularly good effect with minimal props.

Musical director Catherine Jayes led a superb orchestra that provided jaunty and sensitive backing to the show's strong line-up of memorable tunes. And the ensemble singing - particularly of title song Oklahoma - was really strong.

A lovely summer musical that delivers in spades. Corny? Maybe. But a treat nonetheless.

Oklahoma runs until 29 August – go HERE to book
And you can get a video taster of the show including some cast interviews HERE