@ Edinburgh Playhouse, until Sat 4 June 2016

Back in the 1970s, one of the cinema must-sees (along with Nicholas and Alexandra and Jaws) was That’s Entertainment. This was the first clip show. Aged stars from yesteryear introduced extracts from MGM musicals. At the time, the musical comedy (either on film or stage) was a dead duck and That’s Entertainment was a spectacular reminder of those classic song-and-dance sequences, the most famous of which was Gene Kelly’s Singin’ in the Rain number. This Playhouse show promises to recreate that era.

Almost from the start things go off-message as “guest star” Jane McDonald belts out the old 1960s number Downtown. She is in full diva mode in an elaborate 100-watt gown and plenty of downhome Yorkshire repartee (mainly concerning her age, weight and trajectory of her menopause – oh, please!) Maybe she was channelling Marti Caine.

Then it’s back to Tinseltown with a twelve-strong troupe of hoofers. There’s tap and jazz hands and lightbulbs. The choreography (Emma Rogers and Innis Robertson) is inventive and nothing is spared in the costume department. Strictly fans will love it. The chosen songs – On the Street Where You Live, We’re in the Money, Get Happy are certainly crowd-pleasers but the singing (or was it the sound) is underpowered and the arrangements on the pedestrian side.

During the second guest appearance and in another glittering, be-sequined top Miss McDonald says ‘someone asked me if I was plugged in!’ The answer is yes – plugged in from another show. A set of Bacharach numbers is again at odds with the Hollywood theme. Then it is the whole company togged up as Pearly Kings and Queens – a routine that stands out like a jellied eel in an ice cream sundae.

The whole production is super-professional; it just lacks a bit of soul. This might be because the music isn’t live. All the soloists (especially Simon Schofield, Emma Kate Nelson, Lauren Atkins and Loula Greater) are great all-rounders and couldn’t be faulted.

Jane McDonald came to fame when she was discovered on a cruise ship and That’s Entertainment often seems like cruise entertainment material. The only thing missing is the shrimp cocktail.