Just about the first thing to say about The Witches of Eastwick is that it is far removed from the sort of show the Harpenden Light Opera Society usually stages.

Yes it is full of good music and it is bright and fast-moving and above all it is well-acted and produced.

But having said that this is a dark, sometimes disturbing show about power and lust, but having said that there are moments of great humour, albeit often of a very adult kind.

Director John Hebden’s production is slick and fast moving with some very good dance routines.

But a large part of the success lies in the casting of the three witches and their “master”.

Sarah Nasmyth-Miller, Georgina Dalton and Anna MacDonald together with Terry Cavender made an outstanding team blending fine singing and acting ability which drives the show along

Mary Watkinson as the Eastwick community’s self-appointed leader and Steve Hathaway as her husband also add greatly to the show, and junior leads Tom Pigram and Chloe Brown and also well worth watching for the future.

Regular members of the society pack the show’s large cast with interesting characters and a bevy of children add to the sparkle.

Topping off this first class production is a small but good orchestra under musical director Graham Thompson.

The Witches of Eastwick runs at the Harpenden Public Halls until Saturday. It is a very adult show, but it is well worth seeing.

JOHN MANNING