A GROUP of eight – 18 year-olds from Urmston Musical Theatre Juniors, give an enthusiastic, and, at times, saddening performance of Willy Russell’s Our Day Out, a play with music at Abbotsford prep school.

The music, backed by a four piece band, is good and draws out some excellent soloists. Jessica Corps as Carlene Croxley gives a lovely rendering of I’m in Love with Sir and Olivia Kirrane as Amy Chandler has some audience members in tears when she sings Why Can’t it always Be This Way, Olivia’s role is a key one From a deprived home, she doesn’t want to leave from a day out arranged for the Progress class of a Liverpool Comprehensive.

There is an unforgettable scene on the cliff with Mr Briggs, a strict authoritarian who melts at her plight. A promising Drew Frangleton carries this role well.

His fellow teacher, Mrs Kay, (Melissa Gun) is far more relaxed and she obviously loves her not-so-bright pupils.

A cheery faced Niall Sheridan does well as the driver of the bus that takes them out and the interaction on the bus is realistic.

The young people are obviously enjoying their stage appearance and its obvious that they understand the play perfectly.

Well done, all involved.