The enthusiasm which helped to make John Oxley one of the most respected Rose Bowl adjudicators and singing teachers in the area was still firmly in place when I met him earlier this week.

He may no longer be fully occupied as a teacher and adjudicator but, when he gets involved, those who reap the benefit of his vast experience can count themselves lucky.

One such group is Backwell Playhouse Company's youth group, which will be presenting Pippin from March 25 to 28.

Thanks to Oxley's guidance, they will have a firm grasp of how to sing the score by Stephen Schwarz of Godspell fame and present the dialogue.

Pippin will be directed by Alison Riddiford who, at present, is deeply involved with the senior members of the Backwell Playhouse's next production Showtune.

With music provided by Terry Milton and Jessica Rees on keyboards, this musical review, which celebrates the words and music of Jerry Herman, opens at the Backwell Playhouse on Wednesday, January 21 and runs until Saturday, January 24. Performances are at 7.30pm.

Anyone with an interest in musicals will know of Herman, who wrote and composed Hello, Dolly!, Mame, Mack and Mabel and La Cage aux Folles.

You will find a wealth of top-class numbers from that quartet to fill an evening but this show also features some hidden gems from some of his lesser-known shows.

Just to make sure you don't miss out on a chance to see the 20-strong cast perform in this show brimming over with terrific songs, three box office numbers are available – 01275 392936, 01275 462621 and 07534 840790.

There are still plenty of Christmas-style shows on offer.

Treasure Island, written by Ted Hughes, can be seen at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall from tomorrow until Saturday, January 24. Presented by the Sodbury Players, it has various starting times – call 0845 1260859 for details.

Kingswood Players' Beauty and the Beast can be seen at Kingswood Community Centre at 7.30pm on January 23 and 24, and 30 and 31, with Saturday matinees at 2.30pm.

There will be two more pantomimes in February – Cinderella, from the Shipham Players in their village hall, February 5-7 and Dick Whittington at the Somerset Hall, Portishead, February 12-14, presented by Portishead Players.