The musical that, more than any other, signalled the beginning of a whole new artform - the American musical -still has the ability to shock and to delight in equal measure and its themes of inter-racial marriage, gambling,alcoholism and of haves and have-nots are contemporary ones. Cape Town Opera brought to Cardiff much of the rawness of the original and included authentic racist language (usually revised in later productions since it first appeared in 1927) which ,in places,still makes for uncomfortable viewing. 'Showboat' is, of course, not an expression of racism but a depiction of it, though the nature of this depiction can seem stereotypical today.

Jerome Kern's music remains striking in its originality - it is far more than merely a string of ravishing showstoppers. Songs such as 'Ol' Man River' and 'Can't help lovin' that man' knit the whole structure in a way that is almost operatic and paved the way for many future masterpieces ,from 'Oklahoma' to 'West Side Story'.

The fact that a South African company chose to perform this musical did,of course, give the production a particular resonance. Their splendid chorus was impressive with the rich tones of the men evident from the outset and the cast was uniformly strong with much to admire in the the smooth lyricism of Gaylord Ravenal (Blake Fischer) and in the performance of an excellent Magnolia (Magdalene Minnar). The role of the orchestra is key in integrating the whole as never before in a musical and they did so unobtrusively though there were several moments of uncomfortable ensemble.

With a striking set and use of lighting complementing the action, this is a definitive and spectacular production.