YEAR after year have I ventured to support Stroud’s own unique theatre as passionate thespians have gallantly taken on ambitious and challenging scripts and brought them to life with vigour and colour.

I have applauded, laughed and cried as the Cotswold Players have portrayed emotional, heart-warming and truly comical performances. But their current production of Aspects of Love must be their best yet.

I wasn’t in the Cotswold Playhouse, I was in the West End - the outstanding voices ringing out were on par with any professional show I have seen.

And for once I didn’t need my eye glasses to spot the stars on stage. I could see and hear everything.

Not familiar with the plot, other than Michael Ball’s hit song, Love changes everything, I was able to follow the tangled and complicated web of emotions as 17 years flew by in two acts, without being confused.

While the cast of 13 generously sang note after note, the notes in my book remained empty.

Words failed me, so engrossed and enraptured was I by the pace and activity on stage.

If Daniel Holden and Sarah Kilmister don’t get an award for their faultless portrayal of Alex Dillingham and French singer Rose Vibert, then something is amiss.

But equally the musical ability and stage presence shown by Richard Murray, Lucy Harrison and Lucy Cole was second to none.

What I admire about this theatre company is its unwavering determination, guts, pluckiness and willingness to take risks.

This Andrew Lloyd Webber musical score with hardly a word unsung, based on the novella by David Garnett, was challenging to the core. Yet even the 12 part harmony performed by the talented ensemble didn’t phase them.

Every aspect of love - including bisexuality, mate-swapping and cradle-robbing - was revealed on stage as well as the pain, torment, tenderness and depth of raw emotion.

There are moments in life when you have to look and be in the moment, put aside any distraction like a camera and just enjoy. For once I didn’t need any notes to fall back on.

What I witnessed on stage was not just a brilliant interpretation of a complex piece of musical theatre, it was an example of a talented group of people - on stage and behind the curtain - who because of their love for theatre, revealed the depth of that commitment though every aspect of their production.

Tracy Spiers