The Light Opera Group of the Negev has outdone itself with this year's musical production. A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum - a slapstick comedy about love, mistaken identity, lost foundlings, reunion, age, youth, men masquerading as women, women behaving like men.

Set in ancient Rome, Forum is a tale told by a slave who longs to be free, about masters enslaved by their passions, spouses, class and social status - a ludicrous farce on the foibles of self deception.

While there are no real singers and dancers in the cast, it really doesn't matter. Director-Choreographer Rosa Howden has deftly sidestepped these limitations to make something more - singing that dances and dancing that sings in a celebration of laughter.

Sets and particularly costumes - togas, helmets, armor - are splendid. Gestures often seem like Roman statuary come to life. The disposition of the large cast of all ages (with both new and familiar faces) is

always tasteful, never crowded. The action is fast-paced without feeling rushed.

From the pit one hears more than one sees. A pre-recorded playback joins the eight live players to create a truly orchestral effect, proving that man and machine can work together in harmony.

Principals Stephen Howden (slave-narrator), Eric Isaacson (captain), Arnold Gross (aging husband on a last hurrah), June Hare (domineering wife), and Tamar Naggan (bartered

bride) use their voices authoritatively and with dramatic fidelity.

Supporting characters Amiel Schotz (pimp) and Yamima Osher (his wife) were true histrionic thespians, while veteran Ed Spitz (household slave and bridal impostor) along with legionnaires Alan Cohen, Bob Gilmour and Leon Gelkoff rose to a new plateau of maturity and expressive characterization.