THERE’S no business like show business thanks to Irving Berlin, who fashioned musical numbers for the theatre like no other. His compositions spawned a generation that lifted both the song and dance routines of the time into a kind of legendary mythology.

Director Matthew White’s attention to detail is nothing short of amazing, his scene changes a masterclass of smooth operation. Hildegard Bechtler’s classy Art Deco sets include a swish hotel in Belgravia and the Lido in Venice and Jon Morell’s amazing costumes were a catwalk fashion show of pure nostalgia with the transportation back in time completed by choreographer Bill Deamer, whose tap dance extravaganza routine for Top Hat, White Tie and Tails, the closing number in the first half, the most memorable.

A multi-talented Alan Burkitt gave Jerrry Travers the classy touch reminiscent of Fred Astair with his Ginger Rogers partner in time, an equally talented Charlotte Gooch as the confused Dale Tremont, a true delight for the eyes and ears.

The expert timing and dry wit of a captivating John Conroy who played Bates, Horace’s Hardwick’s valet and Sebastien Torkia’s excitable Italian fashion designer Alberto Beddini, provided the humour that kept the Sunderland audience in stitches.

Excellent performances too from Clive Hayward as Horace and Rebecca Thornhill as his wife Madge.

Hat’s off to the entire cast and orchestra for a top class cocktail of Hollywood music and dance and a good old fashioned evening of nostalgia.

* Runs until July 4. Box Office: 0844-871-3022 or ATGtickets.com/Sunderland