A backstage dressing room is the setting for three makeup girls to reminisce about the singing divas that have passed through its doors.  As a vehicle to showcase the work of some of the greatest female singers of the  20th century,  this isn’t a bad idea.  The girls take it in turns to gossip and bitch about five of the most iconic stars, before performing some of their most famous hits. It’s a melange of musical theatre and comedy, which, to the right audience and demographic, is highly appealing.

The acting is strong and delivered with an enthusiasm and gusto which can’t be faulted. One by one, they eviscerate the saccharine images of some of these starlets, with tantalising details of failed marriages, drug abuse and gay husbands.  The three main actresses are all accomplished singers, and the renditions of some of the major classics: ‘Whatever will be, will be’, ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’, ‘Get Happy’ etc are heartfelt and worthy of the West End. Using minimal props, their transformations into the likes of Judy Garland, Doris Day and Liza Minelli are equally convincing and the individual cameos are all quite distinct from each other. Gail Watson is very much the star of the trio, but is ably supported by her fellow actresses.

However, at times the comedy seems a little forced and somewhat jarring.  ‘Julie Andrews’ performance of ‘I Could have Danced All Night,’ introduces a rather unnecessary and distasteful element of smut, which seems out of place with the preceding and subsequent cameos.

Furthermore, the inclusion of a country and western star – Dolly Parton, into the group of divas, also seems a little misplaced alongside the earlier stars of the Hollywood screen. This may be an attempt to attract a younger audience, given the diminishing proportion of the population who remember the likes of Judy Garland and Doris Day.

The tunes are memorable and the performances strong, but some of the comedy doesn’t quite hit the mark.  Nevertheless, its a show that casts a nostalgic spotlight on the golden era of Hollywood divas and on the night reviewed, it received a standing ovation.