Crooners

One of the most unforgettable examples of this came courtesy of Phil Barley, whose Rupert was meant to encourage Marek's Charlie to "pick a lady", only to accidentally tell him to "lick a lady" instead. What followed was several minutes of uncontrollable laughter from both cast and audience, made even more infectious by an audience member whose incredibly distinctive laugh sent the whole theatre, and the performers on stage, into even greater fits. It was the kind of unplanned moment that simply cannot be manufactured, and one that the cast handled with such warmth and wit that you almost wished it would never end.

While the comedy is relentless, it never comes at the expense of the music. The Mini Big Band are sensational, creating a huge, rich swing sound that feels far bigger than the number of musicians on stage. They transport the room straight back to the golden age of crooning, providing the perfect foundation for the three leads. Marek, Whitley and Barley each bring their own vocal character, and when they come together the harmonies are effortlessly smooth. These moments sit really effectively amongst the comedic chaos to remind you just how accomplished these performers are. This is enhanced further by the choreography, drawing on swing, Charleston and tap, with Whitley and Marek's tap sections in particular standing out as impressive moments. These are world-class entertainers that can seemingly do it all.

What perhaps surprised me most, though, was the warmth running underneath all of this silliness. For all the crude jokes and absurdity, Crooners is a deeply wholesome show. Nowhere was this clearer than near the end when the three performers stepped out in front of a closed curtain simply to thank the audience. They took time to acknowledge the theatre staff, the unforgettable laughing audience member and Daryl, who had been an enthusiastic and good-natured participant throughout the night. It was a small moment but one that perfectly captured the spirit of the show. Inclusive, appreciative and full of genuine affection for the people in the room. Crooners feels like a production made for big stages, and it more than earns its place on them. With its flawless musicality, fearless comedy and constant sense of shared experience between cast and audience, this is a show that leaves you grinning long after the final note. It was unlike anything else I have seen, and it is one I would return to without hesitation.

The show still has a number of dates across the UK on this current tour, as well as some dates already announced for the summer months, so I cannot encourage enough you head to your closest theatre and go and watch the brilliance of Crooners.