Hats off to the great local group the Musical Youth Company of Oxford for their latest bold and exciting show, RJ - a Rock Musical.

Based on Shakespeare's classic tragedy of doomed teenage love, Romeo and Juliet, there could not be a story more fitted to the age group involved in the production. The rock musical version by Joy Ardy and Andrew Milburn really holds up under the stiff competition provided by the Bard's glorious lines, which are excellently spoken by the young cast.

The marriage of the modern score with the Shakespearean script works very well all round, adding a youthful dimension that is often lacking in this often-seen play. RJ is a breath of fresh air. It also allows some interesting new directions to be explored by the cast, and more joie de vivre than is normally to be found. A perfect example of this is Ian Blackwell's Friar Lawrence, who adopts the style of a US TV evangelist. Best of al, the show completely lacks the cheesy sentimentality found in adaptations such as West Side Story, and it is certainly all the better for that.

The cast is huge, which makes the ensemble scenes most powerful. The expertise with which they all work together is very impressive. I have seen West End choruses perform with less skill than these well-choreographed youngsters.

Director Phil Garner and choreographer Gwen Whittaker have done a fine job putting together what I can only describe as a big, big show. The original songs, by Andy Milburn, are terrific. The casting is particularly interesting. Mercutio and Tybalt, the hot-tempered enemies, are played outstandingly well by Niamh Caldicott and Jess Glaisher, and their being females gives a whole new, very modern, edge to the interpretation. No sweetly-pretty, polite, retiring ladies in the MYCO cast!

All are dynamic, outspoken and impressive. Laura Chaitow as Juliet is strong and brave - a true heroine - while her Romeo (Anthony Ilott) gives a wonderful portrayal of youthful naivety. But, on the opening night, the whole show looked in danger of being stolen by an amazing rap performance, Cap-Rap, by Andew McIntosh as Gregory, who had the whole audience up on their feet.

This is the world premiere of the show, which has been a work in progress by Milburn and Ardy for some years and their attention to detail shows.

It is an excellent opportunity for the MYCO people to get their teeth into something new rather than a revival of a well-trodden classic.

The cast, orchestra and crew have met the challenge wonderfully and created something really original.