To say that Danny Rubin’s book takes you on a journey would be an understatement, as the original screenplay has truly been given the space to breathe on stage. Laugh-out-loud comedy and high emotion create the perfect blend of philosophical study and fulfilling evening entertainment. The utmost attention has been paid to chiselling out the very best of the film and then broadening it, allowing even the smaller characters to have their moment in the spotlight, as they teach Phil everything he needs to know without sounding like a prescribed lecture.

This is helped, in no small part, by the songs crafted by Tim Minchin - proving once again, in just his second majorly produced musical, that when it comes to mixing the profound with the hilarious, there is no one better. His layered composition is written as a whole, and is more than just a collection of songs thrown into a familiar story. Every musical moment has been carefully considered to provide optimum impact to the audience and to the story’s characters. A masterclass in theme and variations, Minchin has managed the impossible, and it’s easy to be reminded exactly why this show won so many Olivier Awards last time round.