BEWARE Professor Harold Hill, the travelling con man, for this week he has his sights set firmly on the citizens of Lyme Regis.

Or so the Lyme Regis Community Players would have you believe if their convincing tale of The Music Man is anything to go by.

The Players' offering of the Broadway musical can be seen at 7.30pm in the Marine Theatre until Saturday, with a final day matinee at 2.30pm.

This is the story of Harold Hill - the scam artist who travels from town to town convincing parents he can teach their children to play an instrument.

Taking pre-paid orders for instruments and uniforms, he promises to form a band but skips town and moves on to the next before he is exposed.

But his scam begins to unravel when he arrives at the fictional town of River City, Iowa, where he meets local librarian, Marian Paroo, and love begins to blossom.

Set in 1912, the story begins with a scene on a moving train bound for River City.

The travelling salesmen aboard begin discussing Harold Hill who, unbeknown to them, is sitting behind his newspaper listening in.

Their dialogue quickly picks up the rhythmic bouncing of the train, and sitting in the audience it is difficult not to tap your toe to the infectious beat. As the train pulls in to River City Harold meets his old crony, Marcellus Washburn, who warns he might have difficulty convincing the stubborn Iowans, not to mention the stuck up librarian, Marian, who recognises him for the fraud he is.

As one by one he convinces the townspeople, Marian soon falls in love him after he brings her shy, lisping brother, Winthrop, out of his shell, leaving Harold to decide whether to escape again, or stay with his new love and face the music.

Julian Addy is so convincing as Harold, and arguably with the best voice of the cast, it is hard not to become affected by his enthusiasm and quickly forget the darker side of his personality.

The chemistry between Harold and Marian, played by Jane Caddy, is evident, as is the strong feeling of camaraderie between Harold and Marcellus, played by Dan Edwards.

Youngster Joe Herbert, who plays Winthrop with a very convincing lisp, is surely a Harold in the making, while the energetic Nicole Parkinson-Ward, as Amaryllis, and Holly Thomas, as Zaneeta Shinn and with the most credible American accent in the cast, are leading ladies in waiting.

Other children in the cast do more than fill the background - each took pride in their part and had at least one shining moment at the front of stage.

There are lots of funny moments, many from Mayor Shinn, played by Pete Ward, who is perfectly cast. Also well cast in a comical role was Carys Lowe as Alma Hix, one of the four supporting ladies who all provided good vocals, along with mayoress Eulalie Shinn.

There were also good vocals from the School Board quartet while the numbers performed by the company were powerful and tuneful.

The American accent did prove too difficult for some members, but the Players get top marks for a well-rehearsed musical, with a talented orchestra, authentic costumes, realistic sets, and above all, enthusiasm.