THAT rarity, a spontaneous opening night ovation, said it all about Aida.

Leigh Operatic and Dramatic Society took a risk, going where neither amdram nor professional company has gone before, when they committed to this musical. Unusually for a Disney production, Aida is virtually unknown, in the UK at least. Audiences might have stayed away in droves. Instead, they rose to their feet. This review should be taken as the written equivalent of that standing ovation.

Aida is another triumph for the highly-talented and resourceful Leigh director Sallie Warrington, and for the also highly-talented home-team players of Leigh Operatic.

You can taste the love and energy that has been poured into this show. In terms of vocal skills, and sheer hard pounding drive and verve, the society has come up with a production that once again stands up to comparison with the West End.

The story, set in the Egypt of the Pharaohs, is loosely adapted from the libretto of the Verdi opera. Its basis is a fairly conventional boy meets girl from the wrong side of the tracks – or wrong end of the Nile – kind of tale.

This is a play powered by music, not dialogue, and the music lifts you out of your seat. Elton John’s score is as diverse as it gets, drawing on just about every musical tradition you can think of. The gospel element, notably in the powerful hymn to liberty, Gods Love Nubia, is particularly explosive, but the more low-key and personal ballads like I Know the Truth, also penetrate straight to the heart.

In the cast, initial applause has to be directed at the three stunning leads, especially Sarah Woolner, in the title role, but also Olly Gourley, as Aida’s lover Radames and Jenny Peoples, as Amneris, who completes the triangle of love with a very moving performance.

In the midst of much intensity, James Lobley provides welcome light relief as the Nubian slave and fixer Mereb. Aida is further bolstered by top-grade chorus work and choreography.

The choreography, especially in the stop-go number Another Pyramid, adds another layer of originality to this brilliant show. Audiences are going to be doing a lot of standing this week.

Aida Palace Theatre, Westcliff Nightly at 7.30pm until tomorrow, matinee tomorrow at 2.30pm 01702 351135