WILLY Russell's musical play about twins separated at birth is the sort of show you can revisit again and again and still discover something fresh.

This production features Linda Nolan in the role she seems to have been born to play, the feisty Liverpool mum trying to give her kids a decent upbringing in the face of grinding poverty. Linda puts her whole self into the role, her powerful voice easily carrying the tunes written by Russell himself.

The audience knows the twins' fate right from the beginning, so the ending comes as no surprise, although I thought it rather rushed. I found myself reaching for the tissues as people around me sobbed and sniffed; Linda's so deep into her role that she was in buckets as well.

My companion hadn't seen the play before and marvelled at the skill displayed by grown-up actors conveying childhood with absolute conviction; it doesn't seem ridiculous when the gang gallops across the stage on invisible horses, carelessly flinging the reins over the imaginary tethering bar on dismounting. You grow to love these scruffy no-hope kids, especially Mickey, played by Sean Jones, and Linzi Matthews' Linda. Then there's Eddie, Mickey's twin brought up by the posh family in the big house and becoming attached to sparky Mickey by some invisible thread. Drew Ashton as the gentler, more refined twin draws sympathy as he confesses his unspoken love for Linda (I'm Not Saying A Word). The whole cast is excellent, deserving of the standing ovation it received at the tearful finale.

* Runs until Sat, July 2. Box office: 0870 6021130.

Published: 24/06/2005