Disco lovers are running a temperature as director Ryan McBryde’s Saturday Night Fever infects the Theatre Royal in a positive way this week.

Anyone expecting a Sound Of Music-style singalong might be surprised at the edginess and dark humour behind the plot.

At times serious moments of reflection cool the fever to a slight chill, as abortion, thwarted ambitions, women as sexual objects and the point of religion all get thrown into the musical mix.

But generally the pace and upbeat mood is maintained and the action flares into some exciting dance scenes and plenty of witty acerbic one-liners, albeit fused by liberal use of the F-word that some might not thrill to.

The production owes much to the 13 members of the 19-strong cast who play music live, dance, and act so brilliantly.

They are the brass-laden driving force behind this show, adding powerful and often poignant versions of well-trodden songs like How Deep Is Your Love and Stayin’ Alive.

On Tuesday's opening evening Danny Bayne’s singing as Tony Manero got stronger as the evening progressed, and Naomi Slights fitted perfectly as his sophisticated partner Stephanie, while Matthew Quinn played the priest Frank Junior with great sensitivity.