Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating  * * * * *

Cast: Jake Abrahams, Eithne Browne, Stephen Fletcher, Michael Fletcher, Lynn Francis, Lindzi Germain, Mia Molloy, Andrew Schofield, Hayley Sheen, Rachael Wood.

Musicians: Harry Burnett, Elliot Chapman, Amar Petur Stefansson, Danny Miller.

The hills of Wales are alive with the sound of music, not just any old tune, its heartbeat is quickened by the tunes that made the era of Disco one of infatuation for all who danced to its rhythm and overwhelming, upbeat musical personality. Like Disco though, Dave’s caravan site and Boogie Wonderland have become down at heel, the good times have come, partied, and left without even a last groove goodbye, times are hard, Disco only lives on in the memory of some; however, there is always time for one last turn on the dance floor, one last round of reminisces and disco kisses under the glitter ball.

Stephen Fletcher’s sensational feel-good musical Mam! I’m ‘Ere! returns to the Royal Court Theatre in irresistible style, the flair of production once more setting the dancefloor alight with its comedy timing, great songs and superb cast.

Since the musical comedy first opened five and half years ago to audiences at the Methodist Hall’s Dome venue on Liverpool’s Renshaw Street, it has become a firm audience favourite, one of the undoubted great creations, one that sits highly at the top of its genre and one that like Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels, brings out the very best in its writer, performers and musicians.

Liverpool is a fluid city, it has the ability to overcome anything thrown at it, from the supposed powers that be who target the city with unjust insults, through to the changing nature of the times and cast availability, and even some of the  cast members from the previous outing down through the caravans on the Welsh hills were unavailable, then stepping into the big shoes and radiating in the characters personas are always assured actors to whom will catch the attention of the crowd and who will fall for those performers just as hard.

With the sublime additions of Lynn Francis, Lindzi Germain, Michael Fletcher and Jake Abrahams making their debut in the play and the effervescent Hayley Sheen taking on the role of Dave’s daughter Sally, the search is on for Sally’s mother, the quest to save the site all consuming, and the chance to keep the Disco dance alive a powerful, tantalising dream.

The chemistry between the actors is on top form and beautifully placed, with Eithne Browne and Andrew Schofield bringing the house down in their usual fashion, and with Rachael Wood and Mia Molloy giving the Disco Divas the dance of their lives, Stephen Fletcher has once more offered Liverpool his all in Mam! I’m ‘Ere!

A wonderful evening in which the summer seems endless, the tunes of the time still resonating with passion and the sound of the discotheque gleaming as brightly as any glitterball in the spotlight.

Ian D. Hall