IF you want to shake off the summertime blues from Brexit talks to the weather, then here's an invitation to whisk yourself away to St Tropez.

The drag nightclub La Cage Aux Folles is alive and kicking and they know the meaning of the word entertainment, with a capital E.

This musical, produced by Bill Kenwright, is mid-way through a UK tour.

It pulls out all the stops from the opening scenes where you need sunglasses to shield you from the unabashed sparkle to the glorious finale.

It is a feel-good show that Liverpool audiences lap up and the cast – individually and collectively - know they have them in the palm of their hands.

It is spectacular, lavish and every other word used to describe a sequin-splashed showbiz hit.

The play was written in 1973 and became a Broadway smash a decade later.

The love story helped bring gay relationships into the open and it could be said that it acted as a curtain-raiser to today’s civil partnerships.

Club owner Georges (Adrian Zmed) and dazzling lover, the diva drag star Albin (John Partridge), live the dream.

But like all modern day fairy tales, so to speak, there is conflict on the sun-soaked horizon.

Someone is about to make waves in the Med resort.

George's son Jean-Michel announces that he is to marry, alas, to the daughter of a right-wing homophobic politician intent on closing down the nightlife.

Adrian Zmed as gentle Georges is the perfect on stage partner for the multi-talented John Partridge as Albin.

Adrian is faultless on the beautiful Songs on the sand and Look over there.

John Partridge, of EastEnders fame (amongst other achievements), is truly outstanding in every facet of this two-hour-40-minute production.

Breaking the fourth wall, he chats away in his Lancashire accent while berating the orchestra led by Tim Whiting.

It has a lovely waspish Lily Savage tone.

He also injects elements of Dame Edna's biting put downs and the sexiness of Frank 'n' Furter from The Rocky Horror show.

When it comes to singing he has the stage presence of Freddie Mercury in a frock or two.

On the classic I am what I am he brought the packed house down for its sheer poignancy and its power of emotional range.

He not only sang the song, he acted out every single word.

The versatile cast includes the all male Les Cagelles and features the marvellous Marti Webb as Jacqueline.

Samson Ajewole's Jacob - a butler and maid rolled into one - deserves a big tip for raising plenty of slapstick laughs.

It was a 100 per cent standing ovation and the 18-strong cast were clearly overwhelmed as were the audience.

John Partridge was mouthing 'WOW' at the scale of the response.

This is a super show that brings you a taste of Hollywood, Las Vegas and fabulous France along the way.

Five Stars - Magnifique

Tickets from the box office om 0844 871 3017.  

The show is on until Saturday