There may be more village life than sex in new musical comedy Sex and the Village, but this is not a turn-off as the show delights in many ways.

The red carpet was laid out at the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds on Tuesday for the world premiere of the new musical comedy written by Rebecca Applin and Susannah Pearse.

The show, which runs until Saturday, is being presented by Bury St Edmunds Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (BSEAODS) which won a national competition run by Perfect Pitch, which has developed and licensed the show, to perform the world première.

It is a light-hearted take on village life, reminiscent of the Vicar of Dibley and Jam and Jerusalem, where everyone knows each other’s business and little happens out of the ordinary.

With the news that a major supermarket company wants to set up shop, the community rallies round to put up the best fight they can against the plans.

While sex is clearly lacking from the production - after all, this is a family show - there is plenty of sexual tension simmering underneath the surface.

Laura Barnard is fabulous in the lead role of Chloe Potts. A young woman with her life ahead of her, she is torn between her love for her village - and the people in it - and her longing to explore the world.

Kate Steggles and Fiona Barker play sisters Miss Kitty Jennings and Miss Susan Jennings, who are a cheeky pair who use steam from the kettle to open other people’s letters in the post office.

The show generated plenty of laughs, with Miss Shickle - Reverend Green’s sidekick - being one of the funniest characters.

It was also very moving in places, particularly the scene where Chloe remembers her mother who died.

The set was incredibly simple, but technically clever with how it transformed into different backdrops.

There is no doubt this will be an enduring musical which will continue to capture people’s hearts with its loveable characters and humour.

•For tickets for Sex and the Village call the box office on 01284 769505 or visit www.theatreroyal.org