There's one thing I can guarantee. If you see this touring show of Matthew Bourne's Early Adventures you will leave the Playhouse with a beaming smile.

In these dark days we all need a "feel good about ourselves" type of show.

This is it. Matthew and his faultless company make their debut at this theatre.

And no one can muster up an evening of sheer sparkling dance entertainment like Sir Matthew.

This show is a real reflection of the man himself and what made him become the country's most-loved and respected choreographer.

If only we had people like Matthew around when I was at a school. He makes the art form so accessible This is where it all began for him. You can see where ideas where born.

I interviewed Matthew in the build up to the show's week long run and he described it as "bonkers."

I would say it is "beautifully bonkers."

Where else would you see a ukulele version of Pomp and Circumstance?

All his inspirations are here from Joyce Grenfel, Noel Coward, Edith Piaf to Fred Astaire.

A merman in a nautical and nice version of La Mer is cinematic in style.

I could see the ghost of Gene Kelly standing in the wings.

The two-hour and ten minutes production (with two intervals) simply flies by and that, ironically, is the only downside.

It's the theatrical equivalent of a soothing Radox bath.

A nine-strong cast of expressive multi-talented dancers look as though they are enjoying every minute and that is catching - it oozes out to the wide-aged group audience.

Sublime lighting on wonderful stage sets add to the joyous experience.

Three different mini-productions celebrating the 30th anniversary of Matthew's arrival on the dance scene include: Watch With Mother featuring childhood; Town and Country where you can almost smell the lawns and taste the tea and crumpets.

And The Infernal Gallop - France as we in Blighty perceive it.

There are many highlights - one that creates a real nostalgic atmosphere is a take on the classic British film Brief Encounter.

The singer-songwriter Don McLean once said when people analyse the magic of music they destroy the magic that is there in the first place.

Matthew Bourne doesn't analyse dance.

He invites you to enter a world that once in you won't want to leave.

There's no better introduction to the magic of dance when you see it stamped "Bourne."

I am still smiling now thinking about this smashing, super and spiffing night at the theatre.

Globe Verdict: FIVE STARS. Dazzling, daft and delightful. 

Matthew Bourne's Early Adventures

Liverpool Playhouse

Until Saturday

Box office: 0151 709 4776.