THERE was a poignant sense of sadness at Blackwood Little Theatre on Monday night as the group put on their popular Welsh valleys comedy Fancying Sheep for the very last time.

Written by Vic Mills and directed by Neil Maidman, it was every bit as amusing as the first time it was performed back in 2007 (it was also taken to an international festival in Nova Scotia in 2008) and the audience were frequently laughing out loud.

Featuring exactly the same cast of five, (now almost as comfortable in these roles as their own clothes), last night's finale produced some fine farewell performances.

David Livingstone was suitably pompous and ambitious as the unspiritual Edward Griffiths, who aspired to be a deacon of Bethel where he has been a member for 27 years, and Peta Maidman outstanding as his wife Sylvia - while Vic Mills as the visiting Big Preacher, and Steve Wride as Edward's childlike brother-in-law Gareth, really excelled themselves, especially in the pulpit scene!

Peter Musto as The Man (but presumably supposed to be acting as God), engineered the performance and kept a constant watchful eye, often adding a wistful or insightful comment on the proceedings.

The play was preceded by the thought-provoking All Singing, All Dancing - written by Graham J. Evans and performed by youngsters from BLT's Younger Generation.

Based in Warsaw during the Second World War, it featured a group of Jewish children trying to earn cash and save up for transport and escape from the Nazi-occupied city and the constant dangers that they faced.

Narrated by Ben Livingstone, the six cast members Charlie Dunn, Lily Jones, Darcey George, Lily Cornish, Megan Phillips and Alice Parr all did a really excellent job of portraying these characters - BLT stars of the future to watch out for!

*The next production will be Fawlty Towers in June 2015.