THE future of one of Thurrock's musical theatre groups looks a racing certainty (provided they still have a theatre to perform in) after a production which opened its curtains at the Thameside Theatre this evening proved a great success.

Thurrock Operatic Society (TOPS) first showcased the talents of borough performers more than six decades ago with a performance of The Little Sweep. In the great tradition of local musical theatre companies, it followed up with performance of light opera classics including the Gilbert & Sullivan repertoire that contained the Mikado, HMS Pinafore, Ruddigore and The Gondoliers.

Other operettas and musicals such as Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, the King and I and Oklahoma and Jerome Kern's Showboat followed. As late as last year Lionel Bart's classic Oliver delighted audiences.

TOPS – even to the extent of updating its name to TOPS on Stage – has never feared bringing innovation and ambitious projects to borough theatregoers.

And the latest production, Legally Blonde, which began its four-day run this evening (Wednesday, 16 March) sits proudly in the pantheon repertoire of all that has gone before.

And perhaps, even more importantly, its young, vibrant, enthusiastic, and undoubtedly talented cast paves the way for much more to come.

Hopefully (given the continued doubts about the future of the Thameside) they will be back in October with the musical comedy 'The Addams Family'.

Were Legally Blonde to be the last production by TOPS on Stage at the Thameside, it would be a fitting eulogy to the principles of local community theatre.

It would also be a travesty and a memorial to the incompetence of Thurrock Council.

This is a truly ensemble piece, undoubtedly with individual stars but mainly the sum of all its parts including a ten-piece orchestra under the direction of Angelo Deller-Tsocos.

There are productions in the West End that haven't made that commitment to live talent! More than 30 performers take to the boards for a fast-paced and emotional rollercoaster of a show that charts the initially broken heart but then accomplished ambition of Elle Woods – a role created in Amanda Brown's novel and fulfilled on film by Reese Witherspoon.

Charlotte Cavedasca takes on the title role and fronts the show in this production.

If, in truth, she seems a little over worldly-wise than the naïve character visualised for the big screen, the entertainment doesn't suffer for it. She is a great talent and sits in front of the spotlight as if she had been born to do so.

And that's an accolade shared across the cast.

This appears to be a new gathering of talent under the TOPs umbrella, with new faces and new voices and the depth of talent now available for future productions may well be the envy of local companies across the country.

As for the choreography? Under the direction of Emma Wilson and Karyn Wilson the large cast pull off routine after routine.

It's a masterclass in getting the most from a small stage and the succession of high value, big production numbers is remarkable. Even covid couldn't create a flaw in this show, with the pivotal comedic role of Paulette Buonofuonte played by Katey Flaherty as a late replacement for the ill Emma Lambert on opening night.

You simply couldn't see the join – Katey pulled off a consummate performance and cheers at the end probably gave her the accolade of performer of the evening!

But it is almost churlish to try and rank the performers individually. This really is a composite piece with many a tour de force among the cast. If I had to pick, I would single out Fin Patterson as Emmett Forrest, Sydney Price as Vivienne Kensington and Nicola Harrington-Smith as Serena as 'outstanding' but it really is a case of being picky for the sake of pickiness.

You could select any number of other leading lights as being really at the top of their game. Of course, there are faults. Let's not forget this in an 'amateur production. There were some technical sound issues, a few misplaced cues and couple of unplanned exits and entries but this was first night and anyway - who cares?

This is another triumph. A sheer joy. And it represents the very essence of why all the energy being expended to save the Thameside is in a just cause. Long may TOPs on Stage have boards to tread in the borough and long may the talent in our community shine as brightly as it did tonight. Legally Blonde runs until Saturday (19 March), when there are two performances.

For more details or to book, visit this link.