FUN, frothy, light-hearted and with an enduring optimism, the story of how the Windmill Theatre battled the Blitz has become a theatre legend.

This new stage version of the modern musical, which was written as a film 10 years ago, has been packing them in at the Theatre Royal since it opened and its easy to see why.

Oscar-winning lyricist Don Black has penned some catchy little numbers which an accomplished cast belt out with aplomb. You might expect the girls to be the stars of the show, which tells how theatre owner Laura Henderson brought full frontal female nudity to the stage for the first time, with the proviso that her dancers would not move a muscle - except to breathe!

But it's the male stars who have the lion's share of the big numbers: Ian Bartholomew as manager Vivian Van Damm, has a spectacularly strong voice, more than matching co-star Tracie Bennett and bringing a hush to the theatre with his emotional performances.

Matthew Malthouse plays romantic lead Eddie with passion and fire, while Samuel Holmes, as Bertie the revue star, may never bowl a maiden over but is guaranteed to have them swooning at his feet with the power of his vocals.

Tracie Bennett is powerful as Mrs Henderson, while Emma Williams really sparkles as Maureen, the tea-girl turned fan dancer who is the heart of the show.

Alongside the fun and frivolity is a wartime story which is taps nicely into the current feel for nostalgia and should make this a surefire hit if it moves on to the West End stage after a national tour.

The set is clever, with its view from backstage at the Windmill alternating with the big musical numbers you'd expect, and as for the lighting - well, designer Ben Ormerod must have had a field day, carefully placing shadows when they're needed and softly bathing the stage in moonlight.

Really, very little has changed: the modern audience may be more used to nudity than the 1930s establishment, but the sight of someone getting their kit off - male or female - is still, well, a little bit rude. What's not to like about some carefully lit young ladies in artistic poses, or a brave young man's bare behind.

Of course, just like the original Windmill shows, this is all done in the best possible taste and, although your gran might be a bit shocked, she wouldn't really have cause for offence.

This runs in Bath until September 5: if you want a fun night out to brighten up the wet summer, see it if you can.

Alison Phillips