AWARD-winning Romsey-based RAODS turn their talents to Gilbert & Sullivan's wonderful operetta The Gondoliers. The work of G&S is in experienced hands for this production marks the third time the group will perform this show.

The Gondoliers was RAODS' tenth production, performed in 1939 and again in 1951 as their fifty-first production. It's popularity with audiences shows no sign of waning today and this most recent show is being produced by long-time member David Johnson.

A G&S afficianado, it was David, who joined RAODS in the early 1960's, who relit the enthusiasm for the famous Savoy operas amongst the group. He says: "I was one of the pair who reintroduced G&S to RAODS in 1994 after a 40 year lay-off."

To date, just some of the G&S favourites the group has produced include The Pirates, The Mikado, HMS Pinafore, Iolanthe and Trial by Jury.

Set in Venice, The Gondoliers tells the story of Marco and Guiseppe, two gondoliers whom have recently married. Their weddings coincide with a visit to Venice by the Duke of Plaza-Toro, his daughter Cassandra and her attendant Luiz.

The Duke reveals to his daughter a dark secret. Twenty years ago she was married by proxy to the infant son of the wealthy King of Barataria, who was subsequently killed. Wedded bliss is forestalled when it is discovered by turn of events that either Marco or Guiseppe could be a prince, heir to the throne and therefore married already to the lady Cassandra. This highly complex state of affairs can only be resolved by an old nurse, the mother of Luiz, who can identify the real prince.

" As the last production by RAODS was in 1951 I have started with a clean canvas.The humour and colour are the essence and there are no gimics!" said David.

RAODS publicity officer Emma Golby Kirk added: "You don't have to be an avid Gilbert &Sullivan fan to be enthralled by this most melodic of musicals. With a storyline to rival the best of Shakespeare's comedy romances and songs that make feet tap with their sweet simplicity this play is simply the most appealing of all the G&S shows, guaranteed to delight audiences with its colourful array of characters and tuneful songs."

Tuesday to Saturday April 23 at Plaza theatre, Romsey, 7.30pm. Box office: 01794 512987. Visit www.plazatheatre.com