June is Bustin’ Out All Over is one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most exuberant numbers, and it’s just the job for a dreary November evening. It comes from one of their most hit-laden musicals, Carousel, and that’s the show Oxford Operatic Society has chosen for its autumn production.

Carousel is quite a rarity nowadays — I recently met a musicals affectionado who is coming from Bristol just to see this production. One of the reasons that revivals don’t pop up all over might be Carousel’s dark underbelly. Set in rural Maine, USA, just after the turn of the 20th century, the story concerns fairground carousel worker Billy Bigelow, who falls for local girl Julie Jordan. But he ends up dead in a botched robbery. He is, however, allowed just one return to earth, to perform a good deed. Sadly, that goes wrong too.

All of which hands quite a challenge to Oxford Operatic’s new director Hannah Grainger Clemson. Rodgers and Hammerstein provide a slow, wordy, start (there’s no big chorus open-ing number), and inevitably the early scenes dragged a bit on opening night, as the cast got used to the Playhouse stage. Grainger Clemson also isn’t helped by the featureless bought-in set — the scenery budget has been spent on a revolving stage floor — just the job for suggesting the stately spin of a carousel ride. Except that it isn’t really used for that purpose; the carousel itself appears only once, as a tiny model in the distance.

Nonetheless, carousel owner Mrs Mullin is a commanding presence: she’s dressed from top to toe in extravagant-looking black and gold, so business must be good. In the first of the several powerful vocal performances that distinguish this production, the appropriately named Natalie Mullins makes the ground shake as Mrs Mullin sacks Billy for ignoring her orders. Sarah Forrest is also strong vocally as Julie, delivering a punchy Mister Snow, and a teasing If I Loved You. She makes a very good double act with Sian Millett, playing Carrie Pipperidge — neither of these singers, incidentally, need such heavy doses of amplification. Alex Williams is a well-judged Billy, his singing is nicely nuanced.

The chorus makes the most of every opportunity offered, and I must admit to shedding a tear as You’ll Never Walk Alone rolled out. The production itself may not surmount every chall-enge, but musical director Frankie Alexandra and all concerned make sure that Rodgers and Hammerstein triumph in the end.

Carousel
Oxford Playhouse
Until Saturday
Tickets: 01865 305305 or oxfordplayhouse.com