If there were any doubts about a relatively untried and untested cast  in one of Mel Brooks’ most iconic productions, they were well and truly dispelled after just ten minutes into what was a rip-roaring success.

And by the final curtain an appreciative audience roared their approval at a triumph for Manchester comedian Jason Manford, who was a revelation as the timid accountant turned fraudster attempting to become a millionaire by staging a Broadway flop.

There’s always a little trepidation amongst fans of much-loved comics when they take to the stage, but Manford stepped up to the plate well and delivered a performance that will live long in the memory.

However, it was Cory English who deserves greatest praise who was perfect as the the scheming, unscrupulous Max Bialystock.

The Mel Brooks magic could be felt throughout a production which did justice to the raucous outrage which has made the story such a huge success.

Phil Jupitus could have perhaps given the role of psychopathic neo-Nazi writer Franz Liebkind a  little more oomph and Louis Spence basically played himself.

But there were some amazing performances from all sections of the cast with David Bedella’s Roger de Bris and Tiffany Graves’ Ulla particularly strong.

Runs till Saturday March 21