Tucked away at the back of Preston Village is The Brighton Academy of Performing Arts whose final year students put on a performance of the musical Sweet Charity...... and what a performance! The energy, talent and professionalism was astounding.

Charity Hope Valentine is a hostess at the Fandango Ballroom, forever falling for the wrong guys and losing out in life. The show depicts three relationships – a sponging cheat; a famous Italian actor and a neurotic tax accountant. Emily Richardson, as Charity, was a knock-out. She delivered heart breaking pathos, wisecracking comedy and had a wonderfully expressive face. In addition to the gentler songs the score contains six great production numbers all of which had exciting choreography delivered full on by principals and ensemble.

In such big numbers as There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This, Rich Man’s Frug, Big Spender and I’m a Brass Band, Richardson shared the dancing honours with Mia Price, Nicola Cosshall, Bethany Terry, Emma Appleton, Hannah Bates and Yazmin Dewey. A special plaudit goes to Dewey, whose body language expressed fully the weariness and boredom of her life.

If this production is typical of the quality the Academy produces then this is a venue to watch.