SADDLE UP for a visit to the Wild West with this sharpshooting production of Annie Get Your Gun.

The story is a fictionalised treatment of the real-life Annie Oakley (1860-1926), a female sharpshooter who starred in Buffalo Bill’s travelling Wild West show, and her on-off-on romance with fellow marksman Frank Butler.

First created as a musical in 1946 by Irving Berlin, and following a hugely popular 1950 movie and numerous Broadway and West End productions and revivals, this is the latest UK touring version.

A superb live nine-piece orchestra supports 18 talented performers who act, sing and dance with panache and aplomb, particularly in the brilliant ensemble numbers There’s No Business Like Show Business and Got The Sun In The Morning And The Moon At Night.

In the demanding lead role of Annie Oakley, Emma Williams is phenomenal. Her voice has strength, purity and clarity, hitting and holding a seemingly endless note in Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better. And considering the actress’s irrational fear of heights, Williams’ performance on the swinging trapeze is most impressive and professional.

Deputising for Jason Donovan in the difficult lead role of Frank Butler, Jonathan Wilkes displays a natural stage presence and a powerfully smooth voice.

There is real chemistry between the two leads, the illiterate yet feisty Annie sparking off the confident Frank in the effective duet Old-fashioned Wedding.

Choreography by Lizzi Gee is crisp and precise, costumes and wigs conveying a convincingly authentic Wild West atmosphere.

BRENDAN McCUSKER

Annie Get Your Gun runs at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre until Saturday.