THE story of the 13th century Pied Piper of Hamelin and how he rid a German town of rats but then took away all the children when his bill went unpaid, is known by many.

This is a slightly different version created by Russell Workman. But the message is the same.

Briton Ferry Little Theatre is very much a community group and this was a performance for the local community.

It is a show full of fun, music and audience participation and the message was clear: come and enjoy yourselves.

Creator Russell Workman, who also plays dame Frau Naubraunkau, is very much the core of the performance, bringing everyone in to the show at every opportunity.

Fun is a key factor, whether it emanates from the Mayor Herr Drier, played by Terry Rees, the Pumpernickel Twins played by Claire Passmore and Christopher Court-Wallace or Helvetica Bold, played by Gillian Murphy.

And laughter was the aim of them all.

The love interest — and there has to be love interest — came from the dame's son, Hans, played by Sally Clutton-King, and Anne Drier, played by Hayleigh Smith.

They gave light and bright performances providing a contrast to the dark deeds of the plague of rats infesting the town.

This is a show of many themes but all are clearly brought together by the creator. Settings were kept simple with the use of back projections to create the many different scenes; a great idea. It moves at a brisk pace with plenty of opportunities to cheer, hiss and boo throughout the performance.

A great community performance enjoyed by everyone.

Malcolm Rees