SHOWSTOPPERS

As Norm is cracking the whip over his greatest musicals poll,  I'd better fire off my choices right now. Instead of mulling over historical importance, seminal influences and all that, I've simply gone for the ones that have given me the happiest memories.

1. West Side Story.

2. Singin' in the Rain.

3. Kiss of the Spider Woman.

4. As Thousands Cheer. (OK, a revue rather than a musical, but full of terrific Irving Berlin numbers and some wicked sketches by Moss Hart. I'll never forget the scene of Herbert Hoover spending his last morning in the White House making abusive phone calls to his cabinet members. John Major and his "bastards" all over again

5. Gutenberg! The Musical! I've already plugged this gem of a mini-show [pictured]. The perfect antidote to pompous history lessons à la Lloyd Webber. All you need is a piano, a sense of humour and lots of baseball caps.