ALAN Plater's new play makes you leave the theatre with such a nice warm glow that you can forgive its shortcomings.

This distant relative of the Jarrow-born writer's BBC TV film Last Of The Blonde Bombshells is an unashamedly nostalgic comedy-drama, decked out with songs from the swing era, about the most glamorous band in the land.

As a play, it's slight and a bit ragged round the edges. This is no gritty Second World War slice of life, more a comic and musical scrapbook of a bygone era.

A bunch of girls are recruited for a dangerous mission - to form a band and entertain a country under attack. In the first half, we see the auditions. After the interval comes the concert.

All this is recalled from the present day by the youngest musician Elizabeth (Dilys Laye as a wonderfully warm and tuneful guide) and later by the older Patrick (John Woodvine) too.

Plater loves the music as much as his characters. Not for nothing does Elizabeth say, "You never know the music that's hiding in your head". But he also provides plenty of snappy, funny dialogue.

The band are recognisable types - the naive schoolgirl, snooty army driver, boozing trumpeter and even a singing nun - nimbly created in broad strokes by a talented cast that acts, sings and plays instruments.

Director Roxana Silbert orchestrates the whole thing with flair to produce a real crowd-pleaser. These blonde bombshells won't win any prizes but will win the hearts and minds of the audience.

* Until May 22. Tickets 0113 213 7700.

Published: 01/05/2004