PILOT Theatre's touring revival of its earlier production of Jonathan Harvey's urban fairytale arrives with a new setting and a fresh cast since last seen in York. And it is, in many respects, even better than the original.

Director Marcus Romer has shifted the location from London to Manchester, and, as he admits, shamelessly lifted the opening credits from C4's Shameless. Making it a Northern comedy suits the piece well, although the themes of adolescent angst explored are universal.

Rather than depress and pummel the audience into submission, Harvey's play uses comedy to produce a feelgood drama about coming out. As teenagers Ste and Jamie admit to their gay feelings, neighbour Leah hides behind her obsession with Mama Cass. Even the adults, Jamie's mum Sandra and her hippy, happy boyfriend Tony, are putting on a front.

Harvey, writer of TV comedy Gimme Gimme Gimme and now scripting Coronation Street, writes brilliantly funny dialogue with the ring of truth. He's well served not only by Romer's fluid staging in the intimate Studio Theatre but by a cast in tune with the emotional dilemmas of their characters.

Oliver Lee - a young actor of whom we will surely see and hear a lot more - and Jonathan Howard both give impressively natural performances as Jamie and Ste's schoolboy romance takes off. Kerry Stacey's outrageous Leah gives as good as she gets.

The adults, Marie Critchley's blowsy Sandra and Andonis Anthony's spaced out Tony, complete the impressive cast. All that and a whole collection of Mama Cass songs. You couldn't ask for more.

* Until Saturday. Tickets 01904 623568.

Published: 29/04/2005