WE HAVE become accustomed to the high standards of the Abergavenny Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society but this production raises the bar even higher.

At just 19 Alys Le Moignan has a glittering future for she led the cast in such commanding fashion as nightclub singer Deloris van Cartier who is placed in a convent by the police after witnessing a gangland killing. She transforms the nuns' chorus and even Mother Superior, brilliantly played by newcomer Cecilia Bawler, has to grudgingly admit it. Her rendition of I Haven't Got a Prayer was one of the highlights, the lyrics are hysterical.

The comic timing of gang members Joey (Luke Williams), TJ (new boy Daniel Morgan) and Pablo (Mike Davies) was superb and brought the house down. There were some lovely performances from Tobi Edwards, Patrick Callaghan, Molly Brickley Clark, Chelsea Viveash, Jill Murray, Jane Griffiths, Brenda Maloney and Stephen Hopkins.

The chorus was outstanding and so were the backstage crew with 23 scenery changes in the first act carried out so skilfully.

Very few shows merit a standing ovation on the first night, it is testimony to their fabulous performance that this one was the exception to the rule.

The show runs all week but tickets are going fast.