IT'S back boys and girls and with a bauble-blasting bang.

The much-awaited Court Christmas show - where tickets fly off the'box office shelf as quickly as Peter Kay gigs - is here to take us into 2023.

The 'dream team' talents of writer Kevin Fearon and director Stephen Fletcher come to fabulous festive fruition with their own Xmas Factor in full frenetic flow.

In these days of depressing news there is no better uplifting escapism than spending two hours 15 minutes in their company where the versatile cast demand that you come on the wacky journey with them.

It is set in Crosby Valley on a lovely gingerbread-styled set where the cost of living is hitting idle Jack Jones and his mum hard.

They need to confront the energy giant ... you can see where this is going.

Wirral Globe:

There's plenty of laugh-out-loud twists and surprises along the way.

Michael Fletcher is our long-haired layabout from Liverpool and he displays his gift for great comic timing and connectivity with the audience.

Mrs Jones is the ferociously funny Lindzi Germain who provides one of many highlights of the well-paced show with a gutsy, top gear vocal rendition of Bat Out of Hell.

And no one breaks the 'fourth wall' better than Lindzi.

Wirral Globe:

Musical director Howard Gray and his on- stage band (aided by the two backing vocalists Emma Bispham and Emma Grace Arends) deliver a cracking soundtrack throughout including Supertramp's Dreamer, Limalh's Never Ending Story and A-Ha's Take On Me.

I am not giving away any festive spiloilers here but there's a highly-inventive and inspired projection sequence which will bring back many memories.

The plot certainly allows for some ad libbing. Andrew Schofield as commissioner Cliff is in his element delving into the city's fiscal pot and he gives a memorable Disney-esque villain performance.

And Drew also shows some real sax appeal.

Court stalwart Keddy Sutton is the loveable fab fairy Cathy splrinkling narrative rhyming dust notably in the most welcome sub-plot sketch featuring Ernie The Milkman.

Jack has to climb the beanstalk aided by the ever -impressive Hayley Sheen as Jill who outshines her own sparkling sequins.

Liam Tobin is a very silly mayor and relishes the over-acting in a Rising Damp sort of way while Jake Abraham plays Daisy the Cow in full costume (pull the udder one I hear you say) ... but I have moos for you, Jake uses a consistently funny deadpan delivery.

Also great to to see is some enthusiastic and timely Eurovision flag-waving.

The music from the 70s and 80s, a script that is crisp and even and a tinsel-coated finale make this one of the best all round Court Christmas shows of recent years and that's quite an achievement.

It does what it says on the Heinz beanz tin.

This is a Royal Court show that delivers on every aspect - when people can't wait to get back to their seats after the interval you know you are on a winner.

Jack and the Scouse Beanstalk scales new heights of hilarity.

Globe verdict: 5 Scouse Stars "Comedy gold ... a belter!"

Until January 21. Tickets from 0151 709 4321