It kicked off 15 minutes lates because apparently "Velma" was stuck in traffic on the M6, but when it did start it certainly had lots of va va voom and day-glo pop sparkle.
Laurie Scarth is back now after being ill last week with what I hear was gastroenteritis. Nasty. I hear her understudy was simply terrific, and what a great opportunity for her to shine in the spotlight for a few days. But it was nice to see Laurie in full flight as Tracy Turnblad.
There are some great vocal performances in the show, and then of course there's Les Dennis and Michael Starke as Wilbur and Edna, Tracy's parents.
Les is great as usual, but Mickey Starke is simply fab-u-lous as larger-than-life Edna. He doesn't make her a panto dame, she's completely believable and although I heard him sing in Our Day Out last year, he's so much better in this.
When the pair do their duet it brings the proverbial house down, although boys - do you really need to be doing QUITE so much kissing?!