POTENT, powerful and poignant - that sums up this new 20th anniversary production of the smash hit musical Rent.

Rock Opera would probably be a more appropriate descripition of this slick, re-working of the inspirational La Boheme.

Set in a run-down Manhattan apartment block, the multi-layered stage design is reminscent of the many sets I have seen for West Side Story and dramas set in the Big Apple's urban jungle.

Indeeed, there is a lot of verve and energy from that particular musical that resonates here.

But Rent is unique.

It was the creative dream of Jonathan Larson - a New York writer who sadly died on the very eve of its premiere.

It went on to US and global success.

The 120-minute, two-act production starts quite slowly, but  builds and you are quickly drawn in to each story within the story - with a tale to tell from the street-wise bohemian lives that touch you as they are unravelled.

They are figures based, on people Jonathan had met in the 90s. You care what happens to them.

The daily spectre of HIV and AIDS, drug addiction, debt and homelessness are themes threaded and interwoven in a gritty, powerful storyline that uses humour in all the right places.

The songs have become musical standards as you would expect from a writer influenced by The Who and Pucccini.

They  are performed with real passion alongside stunning  choreography.

Without you and I'll cover you are beautiful, time-less love songs.

The lighting also plays a huge part, creating the atmosphere of a tough world where people live by their wits and where friendships are solid bonds are all you can count and rely on.

The story unfolds over the period of one year with a Christmas theme echoing throughout.

Rent has two meanings: paying (or not) for lodgings and also referring to rifts, tearing apart and emotional divisions.

Director Bruce Guthrie gets the best out of his 18-strong cast and his five-piece band of outstanding musicians.

Layton Williams shines as Angel a man with a heart of gold. 

Billy Cullum is a fine narrator as film maker Mark Cohen.

Mimi Marquez (Philipa Stefani) and Lucie Joines as Maureen Johnson never put a note wrong.

The opening number of Act two - Seasons of love performed by the superb cast is, as always, an audience pleaser in every Rent performance.

It is tragedy that we were robbed of the writer's talent.

His message lives on we must live life now - tomorrow is never promised to anyone.

Rent has paid its dues.

Let's hope it is around for another 20 inspirational years.

The Empire's standing ovation illustrated how much it is loved by each new generation.

The show is at the Empire until Saturday.

Tickets from the box office on 0844 871 3017