"Top Hat" - A Chichester Festival Theatre Production.

Nottingham Theatre Royal.

This is an absolute classic piece of musical theatre. It reminds me of Sunday afternoons on the settee with my parents as a kid.

Set in the same year as the film was made, 1935 and is the story of Jerry Travers, an American dancer, played in the film by Fred Astaire. Travers travels to London to star in a show produced by Horace Hardwick, Travers meets and attempts to impress the glamorous Dale Tremont to win her affection. Dale mistakes Jerry for her friend's husband, Horace, but after some comical interaction with Madge Hardwick, Jerry and dress designer Alberto Beddini, whom she agreed to marry, it all comes good in the end and she weds Jerry and they all live happily ever after.

Phillip Attmore, who reminds me of Gary Wilmott, if I squint, plays Jerry Travers. Phillip is more than a capable equivalent for Wilmott in all areas; dancing, acting, singing, charm and that big smile, and straight away he radiates that Hollywood leading man qualities, to which you immediately warm to. Additional tap choreography is also by Phillip.

Amara Okereke is Dale Tremont. Amara has that voice that dances on your ears and has that beautiful Hollywood glamour that takes you right back to those warm and comfy Sunday afternoons in front of BBC2 that make you feel safe. Beautiful to look at and gorgeous to listen to. Amara and Phillip recreate the glamorous choreography of Astaire and Rogers, with Amara performing some pretty impressive high kicks which highlighted those wonderful long legs of hers.

James Hume brings much of the comedy to the musical and plays Horace Hardwick. Love the confusion that surrounds Horace and the mistaken identity between Horace and Jerry. And yet another strong vocalist, although we had to wait for a while to hear his dulcets.

Sally Ann Triplett plays Madge Hardwick and brings even more glamour, and even more excellent vocals to this show. I did have to smile in one scene when Madge states that she could not hear the person on the other end of the telephone; I did notice that the receiver was not attached to the phone itself, so that may be why. Don't worry, normal service telephony wise will be resumed for the Wednesday performance. well, they do say that every performance is slightly different to any other performance you'll see of the same show!

There are some great comedy lines in the script and are woven throughout the show. There's a brilliant comedy performance from James Clyde, who plays Bates, Hardwick's man servant, who took on several different guises throughout the musical and also provides some wonderful sayings from his various family members.

Alex Gibson-Giorgio is Alberto Beddini, the dress designer and creator. Brilliantly over the top accent for this fiery Italian character, and a really comical performance by Alex.

Bethan Downing is the Assistant Dance Captain and George Lyons is Dance Captain.

The large and very hard working and talented ensemble consist of Lindsay Atherton, Rhiannon Bacchus, Jeremy Batt, Freddie Clements, Pedro Donoso, Autumn Draper, Tilly Ducker, Stuart Hickey, Laura Hills, Connor Hughes, David McIntosh, Jordan Oliver, Emily Ann Potter, Molly Rees Howe, Kirsty Sparks, Joe Press, George Lyons, Maddie Harper and Toyan Thomas-Browne.

Directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall along with Associate Director and Choreographer Carol Lee Meadows and Associate Director Cameron Wenn. Who could fault the quality and style of this choreography? Definitely not I. The energy put into all of those marvellous tap numbers, high kicks and smooth, flowing dances just leave you breathless and open mouthed. 

The set, as expected, is as glamorous as the costumes and the revolving central section made changing scenes an easy operation. Designed by Peter McKintosh.

Associate Musical Director is Luke Holman and conducted by Stephen Ridley, and right from that wonderful overture you're transported back in time to those glorious days of Hollywood. Irving Berlin’s classic score includes some of Hollywood’s greatest songs, the immortal "Cheek to Cheek", "Let’s Face the Music and Dance", "Top Hat White Tie and Tails" and "Puttin’ on the Ritz".

The costumes are second to none, and I don't really need to say how much I loved these; just look at the pictures, they say it all. The Costume Designers are Yvonne Milnes and Peter McKintosh. If only my wardrobe was a quarter as glamorous as this. They ooze style and sophistication.

Talking of which, the Hair, Wig and Make Up Designer Mark Marson (for Campbell Young Associates) adds even more glamour and sophistication to the production.

I'm always saying that we don't see enough classic musicals performed in and around the area, but when they do come along they are so worth it. It's magical in every sense of the word.

"Top Hat" the Musical is at the Nottingham theatre Royal until Saturday 11 October.