The programme urged us to "Prepare to party" an injunction wholly unnecessary for a large section of a May Day audience which had clearly been partying since first light, writes Chris Gray

No sign of post-knees-up lethargy was evident, however, in the reception they gave to this superbly entertaining show, which has been completely repackaged under director Con O'Neill since its last visit two years ago. Lusty of voice and lissom of limb, the audience sang and danced along with enviable vigour to the mainly familiar tunes being pounded out by the band and singers. Styled a 'tribute' to the Blues Brothers, the production is more a tribute to the sixties' rhythm and blues and soul music which Elwood and Jake Blues celebrated in their movie showcase of 1980. As one privileged to have experienced soul's power first-hand, at live performances by Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett among others, I can pay this polished production no greater compliment than to say it packs every bit as much punch as they did. In his first headlining role, Matthew Stokes reveals an engaging personality and an astonishing vocal range as the deadpan Elwood, while Matthew Hewitt, as the jollier Jake, switches, with no less versatility, from pounding dance numbers to a moody blues like Guilty. Each of the Bluettes (Julian Cannonier, Rohan Reckord and Eleanor Leah) has a chance to shine - as, indeed, does every member of the six-strong band which powers this potent evening of music.

Highlights for me, without doubt, were Pickett's Land of a Thousand Dances, which closed the first half, a stonking version of Gimme Some Lovin', which opened the second, and high-octane reworkings - and I am not joking - of Rolf Harris's Two Little Boys and TV's Rawhide theme. If the evening offered one source of frustration it came in the twice-repeated blast of the instrumental opening to Otis Redding's self-penned I Can't Turn You Loose, without our being treated to the glorious toe-tapping song which follows.

The show continues until Saturday, May 6. Don't miss it.

*Taken from The Oxford Times Weekend section, May 5