CRAGGY, crabbily-humorous and crooning impressively, Tim Healy returns to his roots – as the 1974 co-founder of Live Theatre – to deliver another of those warm and affectionate looks at life from the pedigree pen of Alan Plater.

The playwright’s familiar themes of Geordie wit in the face of adversity and jazz ensure that the audience luxuriates in instant nostalgia.

Healy plays Phil, a failed architect, who fancies himself as a Raymond Chandler-style detective and is tempted into taking on an impossible quest to find a recording of jazz legend Buddy Bolden, which he knows doesn’t exist. “It’s a myth – like Newcastle United winning the league,” he says.

This is an all-singing and alldancing investigation, as it turns out, with Jayne MacKenzie amply filling the role of pneumatic blonde Ella, who prompts Phil to help Wallsend nightclub owner Fat Jack (Nicholas Lumley) fight off the buy-out offer from US corporation boss Zelda (Jacqueline Boatswain).

Along the way, Phil Corbitt provides all-round support as Phil’s friend, Frank, who is dating his sister, Bella (Jane Holman), plus playing a mean saxophone and clarinet.

Director Mark Babych uses the blessedly short running time skillfully, as the plot is peppered with Plater’s words set to Alan Barnes’ music – everything from the blues to skiffle – plus a glorious parade of the author’s quirky North- East comments – the Byker Grove heritage trail being one.

This fine musical play is probably guilty of drifting wistfully to a far-from-plausible conclusion, but who cares?

Like seeking a recording of Buddy Bolden’s trumpetplaying, the journey is far more entertaining to travel than to arrive.

■ Until June 13. Tickets: £12- £18. Box Office: 0191-232- 1232 or live.org.uk