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When The Lights Go On Again, York Musical Theatre Company, Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York

By Charles Hutchinson

WE'LL meet again, as the most famous wartime song of all promised. York Musical Theatre Company's wartime revue from 2005, When The Lights Go On Again, duly has returned for more light entertainment.

Cast changes aside, this jolly and nostalgic show remains pretty much as Paul Laidlaw first devised and directed it: a concert-party combination of Forties' songs and sketches that people "in desperate need" of cheering up would have enjoyed during the war.

Graham Kay in soldier's fatigues sets the tone with his stirring rendition of There'll Always Be An England. Sketches are brisk and even a little saucy: an American dress is so called because one Yank and it's off.

John Ramsden wraps up warm to reprise a deadpan Robb Wilton monologue; Wigginton School's well-drilled pupils exude excitement as they sing wartime smash hits and Disney favourites; a send-up of an inept Cinderella play-reading leads into a breathlessly quick Come Dancing Cinderella as the cast has a ball.

Richard Bainbridge's Radio Doctor and his tenor singing are further highs, while Moira Murphy's cheery cookery instruction and Jim Welsman's prize draw for a week's ration allowance keeps the comedy fires burning. Jenny Cohen leads the Tramps ensemble routine with bags of zest, and Toni Feetenby's Parting is such sweet sorrow indeed.