FORGET the persistent rain and 60mph winds and let yourself be transported to the French Riveria sunshine for a right royal romp.

Following in the footsteps of Michael Caine and Steve Martin is undoubtedly a tough act but we were in safe hands with the amazing TV legend Robert Lindsay playing Caine’s upper class conman Lawrence Jameson and his sidekick Rufus Hound as Martin’s Freddy Benson.

The 1988 film transfers to the stage with ease and with an array of great song and dance scenes.

The favourite bits of the film are kept intact with Lindsay in many guises including a royal prince – with a nod to one of our own.

But it’s when he meets up with Freddy – another seasoned swindler – that the competition really starts.

This town isn’t big enough for the both of them and they try to settle their differences by betting on who can swindle £50,000 out of a young American soap queen played convincingly by Katherine Kingsley.

Katherine has a great voice and does justice to the clever lyrics in her songs. My only beef was why they had changed her name from Janet in the film? Freddy is also nicknamed Buzz – quite why we never really find out.

Downton Abbey star Samantha Bond plays glamorous divorcee Muriel Eubanks who is looking for love. Bond is captivating - amazingly slender and pretty and it helps that she can really sing and dance. Let down by Jameson, Muriel finds romance with police chief Andre Thibault played by John Marquez.

Director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell has done a brilliant job of bringing this show to the stage and making an irresistible night out.

Quite why it’s only on in Manchester for 10 days is a mystery as the Opera House was packed and I imagine will continue to be so until the final night on the 22nd.