As swell a party as the MGM version in 1956? The production team seemed aware the packed first night audience would be thinking of Kelly, Crosby & Sinatra. The Millennium Centre's safety curtain was dressed-up as for a film, with an American-accented voiceover. The opening sequence, featuring the whole company, had enough energy and style to convince us they could carry it off.

The choreography and band were worthy of the West End, the cast clearly enjoying it all as much as the audience. Katie Lee, as the wiseacre kid sister of the bride, did full justice to the dancing. Uncle Willie (the talented Teddy Kempner) did a pastiche with silver trays and table napkins that told us all we needed to know about a nubile New York dancer. His Bronx accent and strong singing voice brought echoes of Schnozzle Durante.

The mainly white set, with minimum fuss outlined the house on the coast where the wedding would take place. A few extra touches transformed it into a garden terrace with pool and later into a working kitchen, where the singing and dancing of the household staff again excelled.....Well Did You Evah see better?

The bride's parents, Margaret and Seth Lord (Marilyn Cutts and Craig Pinder) were perfectly cast. Her singing retains the resonance of her days with Fascinating Aida. Their costumes, indeed all the costumes, left us in no doubt this was the 1930s.

The groom, George, (Keiron Crook), was described as a dull dog. When he arrived on stage, his body language and even the way he wore his clothes proved it. His singing voice was far from dull......stronger than those of the other suitors, who sometimes struggled.

Alex Young did a sterling job as Liz Imbrie, (and this girl can sing!) conveying without words that she loved Mike Connor (Daniel Boys). The problem was a lack of chemistry that made you wonder why she had fallen for him.......nor was it clear there was a genuine attraction between the bride (Sophie Bould) and her first husband (Daniel Day-Lewis lookalike Michael Praed) or Mike. True Love it didn't seem to be.

Overall, a good night's entertainment, some excellent supporting performances, but the three principals just lacked that sprinkling of stardust.