THERE are times when a change of name can be a good thing for a theatre company, giving it a new lease of life. There are also times when it is seen as a panacea for all that ails a group, when in truth it is as effective as putting an Elastoplast on an arterial wound.

Sadly this is the case with Abergavenny Musical Theatre Company - the group formerly known as Abergavenny Light Opera Company - for which a name change has done little to stem the chronic decline in quality audiences have seen in recent years.

As one of those who remembers only too well the heyday of ALOC when fine singing and dramatic quality were pretty much guaranteed, I left the Borough Theatre on Tuesday night with a heavy heart for the travesty that was Annie.

Now I know only too well the hard work that goes into any production and I salute those who have put months of dedication into this one and feel for those who made Herculean efforts to inject some life and quality into it, but sadly they were fighting a loosing battle.

There is an all too often used theatrical adage which says actors should never work with animals or children, but with this show, it really was a case of thank heavens for little girls ( and golden labs) for it was their contribution which largely kept the show (if not the scenery) on a semi stable course.

As the orphans the team of youngsters worked well together - little 'Molly' was a delight - but these talented performers were sadly let down by unimaginative choreography, shoddy direction and lack lustre support - frankly they deserved better.

In the central role of Annie Nia Hawyes was solid if not inspired. To be brutally honest she was also too mature. The role is written for a child and Nia's voice, while undoubtedly of high quality, just was not right for numbers like Maybe and even Tomorrow.

There is no doubting her talent both as an actress and a singer, but sadly again she was let down by inappropriate casting.

The ever reliable Stephen Clark, again worked hard as Oliver Warbucks but sadly a lot of the growing father daughter relationship with Annie which makes the show so touching was necessarily absent, although his performance of Something was Missing not only summed up the evening but was one of its few promising moments.

As Miss Hannigan Angela Casa relied mainly on blowing her whistle and screeching, failing entirely to bring any light and shade to the role, while the Cockney Rooster was frankly beyond me - so tuneless was Easy Street that it honestly hurt my ears.

The principal cast was completed by Suzanne Meates as Grace, who worked hard but with little defined character failed to bring any warmth to the relationship with either Warbucks or Annie.

Usually by the time she and Oliver dance everyone in the audience is rooting for them to get together...by this point in this show, I think we all just wanted to get home.

This was a show which - on opening night at least - was blighted by abysmal production, dreadful lighting, potentially dangerous scenery, an overloud orchestra, mushy sound, inpenetrable diction and a general feeling of laissez fair.

Even the chorus, which normally provides solid support, was sadly under rehearsed, at more than one point parting company completely with the band which should have been impossible as they could be heard in Carmarthen!

As I left the theatre a company member tapped me on the shoulder. "Be kind," she said. Another smiled ruefully - "You should have seen it last night at dress rehearsal," he added.

Well, I know that this review will probably do me no favours and that next week's Postbag will be full of 'did Liz Davies see the same show as me' letters, but hand on heart as far as I'm concerned I am being kind because this is not the ALOC I have known and admired for so long and I sincerely hope that something will be done to restore its reputation before it is damaged beyond repair.

It truly gives me no pleasure to write a review like this but those who have worked so hard for this company in the past must be hanging their heads in shame or spinning in their graves and their legacy deserves better.