TEN out of ten sparkling stars - there you have it.

And the review hasn't started yet.

You usually read that comment at the end.

But Mamma Mia! is the best 'must see' show around. And that needs to be said sooner rather than later.

Try and catch it it while you can. It has the ultimate feel good factor.

If you walk into the theatre feeling a bit down, you will come out up-lifted.

This international touring production is faultless.

And it's their only UK date before a huge multi-country tour.

it is a joy because cast and crew are all in it together The reason?

Well ... The show invites you to a holiday of sorts, a wedding and a party on a Greek Island.

A singalong and a dance.

Cast and crew look like they are enjoying every minute and they are - it shows.

When the audience start joining in (unprompted) to interpretations of Abba songs then you know there is respect, affection and a realisation that The Swedish group provided a soundtrack to a lot of our lives.

And when the two male writers of Abba themselves got involved with the original back in 1999 you can see why.

It is one of the most successful musicals of all time.

It has just been translated into Mandarin.

There you go.

The story line is one that works.

Simple as that.

Sophie lives on a Greek Island and is preparing for her wedding day. She wants her dad there but, it's all Greek to her, she doesn't know who her real father is.

So looking through her Ma's diaries she writes to three potential pas.

And so they all arrive on the island .

That's the story book.

So switch off the stress monitors in all your head and enjoy a celebration of some of the greatest pop songs since The Beatles.

There are 22 of them including Dancing Queen, I Have a Dream and Super Trouper.

And then ... more Name of the Game and Voulez-Vous.

This is more than a jukebox.

Choreography is superb and performances ( it is not fair to pick out various members) because it is an ensemble work but some do stand out.

Former Corrie stars Shobna Gulati and Richard Standing are superb.

And versatile comic Sue Delaney is ad-libbing brilliant.

Sara Poyzer, as mum Donna, excels on the conversational interpretation of Winner Takes it All.

Knowing Me Knowing You, coping with a Mersey chorus from the audience, was and will be magical throughout the Empire run.

Mamma Mia! Is one of the shows that, as a critic, you love to review.

So three decades of sitting in the aisles, I believe this is up there with the best.

I saw it in Manchester, I watched the film - but this is the greatest hit yet.

10 out of ten - Abba-solutely Fabulous.

Dancing Ovation.

Tickets for the show, which ends it run on March 14 are from the box office on 08447313017.