In the mood for a good musical theatre, then go no further than the Kookaburra Theatre Company’s production of Louisa May Alcott’s ‘Little Women’.

‘Little Women’ tells the story of the four March sisters, promarily through the eyes of Jo, the second eldest and feistiest, who desperately tries to fulfill her dream of independence and artistic freedom as a writer during the American Civil war.

This is a local production of the Broadway musical adaptation, the creation of Alan Knee-book, Mindi Dickstein-lyrics and Jason Howland-composer.

Stuart Maunder’s production for Kookaburra flowed well. This was a very clear, high spirited and emotive production with many two hander scenes witb higb emotional stakes.

‘Little Women’ started poetically with all the beloved characters coming out on stage, as if in a storybook cardboard cut-out,and then went back into the wings to come out again in the story proper. A fine orchestra, under the direction of Peter Rutherford, swang into action on a platform level above the main stage.

Kate Maree Hoolihan, in a fine performance as Jo, led a strong cast that included veteran music theatre performers, Trisha Noble and Judi Connelli.

Production values were stromg with the good use of a revolve stage (set design by Michael Scott-Mitchell) and great period costumes by Julie Lynch.

Kookaburra’s ‘Little Women’ plays the York Theatre, Seymour Centre until the 7th December, 2008.