AFTER seven years and 12 major productions, The Plough Youth Theatre at Torrington has a wealth of experience and expertise under its collective belt - and this was more than evident in the senior company's recent show, that epitome of musical theatre, the 1943 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma!

Set in 1906 Indian territory, where cowmen and farmers exist in an uneasy state of rivalry and tension, it tells the story of cowboy Curly McLain and his romance with farm girl Laurey Williams.

The show calls for a multi-talented cast: it's not just an all-singing, all-dancing musical, but a fully-fledged drama. Perhaps the most demanding role in dramatic terms is that of Jud Fry, the brooding and vengeful farmhand who is determined to have Laurey for his own.

Tom Drayton brought a convincing air of suppressed menace to the part, and revealed a fine singing voice in the emotional solo Lonely Room.

Jack Bailey (Curly) and Genna Ash (Laurey) tackled the demanding lead roles with admirable professionalism, delivering note-perfect performances of classic songs such as Oh, What a Beautiful Morning and Many a New Day and continuing their roles into the evocative dream sequence ballet - unlike the cast of the original show and 1955 movie, who were substituted by professional ballet dancers.

Despite the conflicts that beset its principal characters, this is a show rich in comedy. Some of the funniest lines go to Ali Hakim, the Persian peddler, played with extraordinary maturity and impeccable comic timing by Jack Lea.

He is pursued by Ado Annie, the girl who cain't say no, brought to life by Rebekah Jefferies' confident acting and flawless singing voice. Freddie Lawrence, as the devoted but none-too-bright Will Parker, made up the third side of the love triangle, and proved himself an athletic dancer, able to swing a bullwhip with the best of them.

Zoe Thomas (Aunt Eller) and Wesley Knowler (Andrew Carnes) took on characters way beyond their years, each with notable success.

PYT's creative team, Director Rob Pudner, Assistant Director/Stage Manager Sarah Pester, Musical Director Alan Boxer, and Choreographer Helen Venn, built a performance that perfectly balanced the demands of acting, song and dance, and the large cast pulled off crowd scenes, fights and big production numbers without a hitch and with evident enjoyment.

It was impressive to note that every young person was playing a clearly defined character and that relationships between even the minor characters remained consistent throughout the piece. The set, imaginatively designed by Pippa Jenkins and constructed by Ian Newman and members of the Youth Theatre, was cleverly lit to evoke both the sunny, party atmosphere of the box social and the moody menace of the smoke house and ballet.

It was easy to forget that this was an amateur performance, and on the night I attended the delighted audience responded with a standing ovation.

I came away from The Plough feeling extremely lucky to live in an area that contains such talent and commitment - and I will be humming the tunes for weeks.

Sarah Willans