THEATRE REVIEW: Save The Last Dance For Me - at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, from Monday, April 18 to Saturday, April 23, 2016.

WHAT a great nostalgic ‘feel-good' trip back to the 60s this is.

Containing nearly 30 songs, it was all evocatively and splendidly delivered by a talented cast which included Anthony Costa from the 90s boy band Blue, playing the part of Milton, and Lola Saunders from X Factor, taking on the role of Jennifer.

The simple story revolves around a US Air Force Base near to where two teenage sisters take their first holiday without their parents.

They are invited to a dance at the base by one of the young black Americans, Curtis, played by Jason Denton, who falls head over heals for the younger sister Marie played by Elizabeth Carter, who brings experience to this role having played Marie in a UK tour in 2013, appearing in The Wizard of Oz and Peter Pan.

Of course, the road to love is never easy, especially for teenagers in the 60s and as we journey with them, the audience is treated to many familiar songs penned by the talented but little known musical partnership of Doc Pomus and Mort Shumas such as Viva Las Vegas, A Teenager in Love, Suspicion, Can’t Get Used to Losing You and, of course, Save The Last Dance for Me.

The band was full of swing and beat, the set was unashamedly bright and busy, and the cast was so lively and full of energy they had an appreciative audience upon their feet clapping and singing along to the show’s finale.

Presented by Bill Kenwright, who directs the show, and Laurie Mansfield, two of the heavyweights in the world of musical stage shows, it is one of several of its genre spawned by the hugely successful stable of Dreamboats and Petticoats. And once again it’s a splendid trip back in time for those who remember it well and also hugely entertaining for younger members in the audience.

Val Wallcroft