Here comes the sun, courtesy of Conley and co

I had a silly grin on my face all evening," muttered one woman on the way out. I think we all had.

For a less-than-perfect summer, The Music Man is 100 per cent the perfect summer show, spreading a batty sunshine of its own.

Arguably it's a couple of great songs short of a great musical and too often director Rachel Kavanaugh has forgotten that the audience is all around her, but these are minor quibbles compared with the huge enjoyment factor that buzzes all through.

The Music Man is at Chichester Festival Theatre until August 30.

For full review and more arts and entertainments see West Sussex Gazette July 16.