ON its way to setting a new £100,000 box office record at the venue, the ever-popular Willy Russell show can appear to cope with just about anything.

A glass milk bottle carted away by the uptight milkman demanding payment on Liverpool's grim back-to-backs crashes to the floor, centre-stage.

"You'd have thought they'd have used plastic bottles... and I'm the Irish one," jokes Linda Nolan, slipping in and out of character as mumsy Mrs Johnstone as she stops to allow glass shards to be swept up.

Job done, we return to this people's musical which always touches our hearts because it relives the lives of the majority in and around the slums and gives that glimpse of joining the ruling elite.

The sets are smarter for this year's tour and the costumes a little grubbier but the strong sense of humour survives alongside another strong singing performance from Nolan, who has battled her own personal demons to continue her headline role.

Vanessa Clarke gives new life to the role of evil Mrs Lyons who persuades Mrs J to part with one of her new-born twins and, having failed to stop their friendship, engineers their demise.

Stephen Palfreman (poor twin Mickey) and Craig Whiteley (rich twin Eddie) are old hands at the growing up scenes required as the two progress from seven (nearly eight) to their mid-20s.

The rest of the cast, and the orchestras, have to work their socks off as well and must be a little narked at never getting a mention. So I'll pick out Daniel Taylor, most seen as lawless Sammy Johnstone, and Matt Slack, who roves between being Mrs J's husband to hapless teacher/policeman, as additional stars on the night.

Runs until Saturday. Box Office: 01642-552663

Viv Hardwick