IT had to be a memorable production to mark their centenary and this certainly lived up to the high expectations.

Very few amateur companies can claim to have been around for 100 years but the Abergavenny Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society has justifiably earned its place in the history books with some very memorable shows.

This was definitely one of them, for the audience never stopped laughing and the main character, slave Pseudolus played by Rob Jenkins, set the pace. He was even better than Frankie Howerd who played the part in the first London production in 1963.

His comic timing was superb and his facial expressions added so much to the performance.

The audience was treated to some impromptu singing in the foyer from The Proteans (Neil Hopkins, Barbara Bennett, Jacqui Daniell and James Bryant) and their effervescence and slapstick almost stole the show. It was lovely to see Patrick Martin as Senex, return to the Abergavenny stage for his parents were stalwarts of the society, and he was well supported by Deborah Harrington as his wife and Andrew Fowler as his son Hero who falls for the virginal Philia, beautifully played by Lucy Phillips.

The action is so fast and furious it was like watching the television series Up Pompei on fast forward.

The show runs all week and you'll be sorry if you miss it.