BLACK Country stage stars dazzled when they brought to life Barry Manilow's glitzy musical Copacabana at Brierley Hill Civic Hall.

The glamorous show, presented by Cradley Heath's Tab Operatic Society, was an all-singing, all-dancing treat to watch.

Society newcomer Mitchell Bastable was on fire as leading man Tony Forte, a bartender/aspiring songwriter at the famous Copacabana nightclub - dreamed up by a struggling songwriter.

A natural on stage and with a belting voice to boot, he absolutely wowed the audience who appeared to be loving the show every bit as much as he was.

While seasoned Black Country stage regular Fleur Petford oozed star quality as showgirl Lola La Mar, a small-town girl from Tulsa who gets her big break when she auditions for a spot at the Copa in 1947.

Her singing, acting and dancing talents were mesmerisingly impressive - particularly in the scenes shared between Tony and Lola.

Newcomer John Nicholas was suitably villanous as Tropicana owner/gangster Rico Castelli, who kidnaps Lola from the Copacabana and whisks her off to Havana; and Sarah Field was commendable as ageing Cuban singer/gangster's moll Conchita Alvarez.

Grant Chapman raised giggles as hard-headed Copacabana owner Sam Silver and society regular Louise Griffin was pleasing as his roller-skating girlfriend Gladys Murphy.

Meanwhile a talented line-up of Copa girls clad in exquisite, colourful costumes ploughed through an array of imaginative dance routines - beautifully choreographed by long-time producer Audree Henwood - and belted out a host of popular Manilow hits, including title track Copacabana, under fine musical direction from Richard Ganner.

There may have been a few hitches - the odd sound glitch, a piano stool that broke during the performance and a backstage hand poking through the curtains just at the wrong time during a wonderful tender duet moment between Lola and Tony.

But none of this really detracted from what was a fabulous, feel-good musical - brought charmingly to life by the two incredible lead stars.

Copacabana runs at the civic hall until Saturday April 12.

For tickets call 07722 417962.