It's clear Chesney Hawkes - Can't Smile Without You's leading man - has been a big draw with the crowds. A ripple of excitement and cheers spread through the theatre when he walks on stage.

He plays Tony, singer in a band who while on a stag-do (he is, albeit reluctantly, set to marry girlfriend Lucy when they return to the UK) in New York drops in auditions for a talent show with his band mates.

While the band as a whole make a good impression, it's Tony and his pop star good looks the show's producers want. He ends up staying on the US for a few extra days and meeting a girl called you guessed it, Mandy. Anyone familiar with the Barry Manilow back catalogue - which this show is dedicated to and inspired by - will have an inkling of what happens next.

When Chesney said in his interview with Leisure last month, "it's all done in the best possible taste" referring to the camp nature of this production, he wasn't lying.

But company and the cast seem to have accepted the production's cheesy aftertaste and team it with ham - revelling in gags alluding to famous Manilow lyrics and there's even a nod to Chesney's famous hit The One and Only.

Upping the camp even further is Howard Samuels who plays eccentric talent scout and producer Jeff. His comic quips and outrageously funny dance routine for the Copacabana number ensured, even when Chesney or feather headdress wearing dancing girls were on stage, all eyes were on him. He easily gave the most accomplished and enjoyable comic performance of the night.

The other members of Tony's band, the Romantics (who play their instruments live, giving a great live-gig feel) had the crowds giggling too with their squabbling and ego struggles.

But it was the music, and some genuinely memorable covers, which made the show.

Early on in the action, to prove he's not another "bubblegum" pop star, Tony takes to the piano at a New England party to perform a goose-pimple inducing rendition of Could it be Magic. It was just lovely.

Siobhan Dillon's (who played Mandy) performance of the title song is also incredible. The How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? finalist's voice is natural but extremely beautiful.

Mandy, I Write the Songs, the famous medley and a particularly a group performance for One Voice's were also nicely done.

The story may be flimsier than Lola the showgirl's outfits but this light-hearted drama is a bit of fun packed with great musical performances and an absolute must for the Fanilows.

Playing at The Orchard, Dartford until Sep 13. 01322 220000.