Saturday Night Fever, Sunderland Empire

Showing until Saturday, June 23

If you are of a certain age, the music and moves of Saturday Night Fever will be in your blood. The Bee Gees rule absolutely, and how can anybody else hope to do their music justice?

That is what I thought as I went to the Empire Theatre, Sunderland, this week - half eager anticipation and half cynical disdain.

But far from being some feeble imitation of the blockbuster film of the Seventies, Nan Knighton's scorching stage adaptation includes all the best aspects of the original, with brilliant stage sets and electronic trickery that takes your breath away.

The vocal arrangements don't try to ape the Bee Gees, but give the soloists a chance to do justice to what are, after all, enduring classic songs. Bekki Carpenter's If I Can't Have You and and Adrian Smith's Tragedy are particularly memorable.

Choreographer Arlene Phillips has managed to bring the dancing up to date while keeping all the instantly-recognisable moves intact, and the result is both exciting and nostalgic.

David Sellings as disco demon and poser extraordinaire Tony Manero is athletic and skilful, without being particularly sensuous, which is odd, considering the amount of hip-swivelling and pelvic thrusting going on.

The best dance numbers are those performed by the company.

You know You Should Be Dancin' and you will get a chance to strut your stuff at the end, which comes all too soon.Sue Heath