WEST Side Story is not an easy show to make work and any company, professional or amateur, that takes it on is climbing a theatrical mountain.

Its creation was a one-off collaboration between three remarkable men Arthur Laurents, who wrote the book, Leonard Bernstein, who wrote the music, and Stephen Sondheim, who wrote the lyrics.

Dauntsey's School in West Lavington, near Devizes, has an admirable record for mounting spectacular productions of challenging musicals like Cabaret, Jesus Christ Superstar and, memorably last year, Into the Woods.

Former head of drama, Samantha Pullen, has now moved on and the new head, Rikki Jackson, chose West Side Story before he had even arrived at West Lavington.

He obviously knew what he was about. His conception of the modern-day Romeo and Juliet, based on the animosity between Polish and Puerto Rican gangs in New York in the 1950s, is crisp and relevant. The sparse staging, all scaffolding and derelict cars, is dramatic and effective.

There are no weak links in this cast, but there are performances that transcend what you would fairly expect of a school production.

Way out in front is Gwen Martin as Maria, the Juliet of this urban piece.

Not only does she look perfect as the raven-haired Puerto Rican girl next door but her voice is quite stunning. Whether singing solo or with the excellent Tony of Chris Jones or the superlative Anita of Tamsin Urquhart, her performance is absolutely flawless.

Other performances worthy of mention include Simon Evans as the charismatic and cynical Bernardo, brother to Maria and leader of the Puerto Rican gang, the Sharks.

The music is in the capable hands of head of music Chris Thompson and his 33-piece orchestra.

I have only one gripe, but it's a big one. Why no American accents? This is after all, firmly set in New York.