All those cynics out there who claim romance is dead should have been at The Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield, Croydon, on Tuesday night, writes Christine van Emst.

Not the sort of programme that I would normally have raved about, Because You're Mine, starring the larger than life Mark Rattray and the delightful Demi Moore lookalike Karen Barnes, was an evening of top notch singing, fine orchestration and a nice line in links.

I had taken a long-time Mario Lanza fan with me and Mark Rattray, who had the lead role in the musical Lanza the last Serenade, certainly won her vote of appreciation.

From start to finish it was a show of easy listening, classic love longs, all strung together by Mark and Karen with little cameo pieces. These portrayed the first time you see The One' for you (Some Enchanted Evening); how the love affair can sweep you off your feet (People Will Say We're in Love); how romance can be dashed by a silly argument (This Nearly Was Mine); and how true love can endure (We'll Gather Lilacs).

It sounds very cheesy, but it all worked so well. The singers were totally believable as a couple, and the little jokes and asides with Mike Alexander leading his five-piece orchestra, gave the show levity and an endearing quality.

There have been some smashing love songs written by Jerome Kern, Noel Coward and Rodgers and Hammerstein. This production jogged my memory and made me understand why my mum and dad had loved playing the records of Mario Lanza and soundtracks from the musicals that were big news in their day.

However, one of the highlights for me came from a more modern love song, Love Letters, (a hit by Ketty Lester in the sixties) sung solo by Karen. Her voice had just the right timbre to make this one of those moments when the hairs stand up at the back of your neck.

Mark's voice just got better and richer as his performance went on.

Sadly there were not many in the audience that night Mark quipped “Did all 23 of you come together?”.

There must have a been a lot of old romantics out there who missed an entertaining, slick show of great songs from two great voices.