REVIEW: Saturday Night Fever – at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, from Tuesday, February 3 to Saturday, February 7, 2015.

THIS very familiar musical from the late 70s starring - as many will remember - John Travolta, was transformed into an equally successful stage musical by Robert Stigwood and Bill Oakes that has been doing the round for a good many years now. And it proved here it can still hold its own against the rest.

Although it’s one of many such similarly themed shows harking back to the music of the 60s and 70s it is one of the stand-out shows of that ilk because it’s not simply hanging a few big hits of yesteryear onto a weak story line. True, it’s no great tale in itself but Fever does at least have some depth to it – a young man looking for a better life in the grim reality of 70s New York.

Simple fare again – song or dance is the route away from all the depression for Tony Manero... from a miserable home life, his dead-end job in a store and the long-term unemployment all round him which sees people queuing for gasoline. Weekends were his big escape into the world of the disco dance floor.

Danny Byrne, who won ITV’s Grease is the Word and then went on to take the leading role of Danny Zuko in the musical Grease in the West End, is an impressive Tony both in song and dance.

Here he pairs up with the lovely Stephanie - performed by the talented Naomi Slights - who, as his dance partner, sizzles and the pair literally dominate the stage with their dance moves.

CiCi Howells was the nightclub singer/narrator and deserves special mention for providing the show with the atmosphere expected of a 70s disco/nightclub.

Talented director Ryan McBryde ensures this production is a great showpiece for the Bee Gees music and the show totally deserved the full house at the Festival on first night.

He’s got this multi-talented ensemble of musicians/dancers/actors/singers displaying all the verve, enthusiasm and zip expected to accompany this famous musical soundtrack.

It’s quite a complex show but the production team ensures it has a good flow with designer Simon Kenny deserving mention for the fine sets while the varied use of lighting is top quality.

Worcester’s Joe Vetch admirably stood in for an indisposed Rory Phelan as Joey for this show.

VRW