Crush is like a curate’s egg – excellent in parts and poor in others.

The show is well choreographed and includes some great songs and dance routines but the issues raised often appear clichéd and dated.

The play is set in an old fashioned girls’ boarding school run by a bigoted and dictatorial headmistress intent on trampling on any girls who do not aspire to what she considers to be normal or right.

Luckily for all concerned, the girls and their supporters are not easily cowed.

Rosemary Ashe is outstanding as the hard-hearted headmistress and her powerful vocals in The Future Mothers Of The Future Sons Of England is one of the highlights of the evening.

Special mention must go to James Meunier whose multifaceted performance includes a stint as a nightclub hostess, Marlene, giving stunning performance of Sugar Und Spice.

Brianna Ogunbawo is excellent as the overlooked love interest, Daimler.

The pluses of the play far outweigh the minuses and the majority of the songs are catchy and well executed.

Any shortcomings in the script are more than made up for by the enthusiasm and professionalism of the cast – and the backing band.

Three stars