Much like Oklahoma at Wyndham’s Theatre, this production takes an older text and brings it up to date while pumping it full of creativity.

In this case, it's taken the energy of the source material and turned it up to 11. It does this through its particularly strong performances and some incredible vocals, but takes it further to the stage itself.

Performed in the round, the stage (surrounded by those with standing tickets who are ushered around by in-character cops) raises and lowers in different platforms to represent the city streets and the different locations the play takes place within. This doesn't just happen a few times, but almost constantly throughout the performance, at times used to simply raise a solo vocalist into prominence and at others to reshape the entire stage space.

The songs stand up very well today, though there's a bit about a cold that feels a little shoe-horned in to pay off a punch line later on. What stands up less is the text's consideration and treatment of women which is exactly as dated as when it was written, though the play makes distinct choices in characterisation to push against this while remaining faithful to the source material.

The choreography is excellent and performed to perfection, feeling modern while respecting its roots.

An astonishingly good production that anyone should see if they have even a slight enjoyment of musicals.

The experience starts to some degree in the foyer where you can take in a hot dog or pretzels to get in the mood. Although I really have to recommend the madeleines baked on site every night.

Inside the theatre, seating is placed on all sides of the stage and every seat has a good view, particularly due to the lifting stages. Brightly lit signs hang down from the ceiling and cast members dash around between the standing audience bringing a buzz of life to the staged street.

The seats are by far the most comfortable and high quality seating of any theatre I've been to. On the front row it feels natural to lean forward onto the balcony to enjoy the full immersion of the show.

I didn't take in the standing tickets but it looked exciting, though even with the raised platforms I could imagine missed some of the action in all the movement. If you have the stamina to stand for two halves and are familiar with the play I'd suggest if if you're at all interested, but otherwise it might be better to sit for the first viewing.