In 1961 Yorkshire housewife Viv Nicholson won a fortune on the Pools; her life changed overnight. As Bruce Forsyth handed her the cheaque, she declared she would Spend Spend Spend!

Direct from the West End, Barbara Dickson stars in this multi-award winning musical, which is a tale of love and lost fortune. A rags to riches and back again story with humour, fun and sorrow.

Spend Spend Spend is a performance from the experienced and overly talented cast with Barbara Dickson at the helm and new talent emerging, Spend is not only a new piece of British Theatre, but a new showcase for British talent.

However the cast can step aside for a moment as Steve Brown who has brought Britain much loved television show's such as Alan Partridge, SMTV Live, Harry Hill and They Think It's All Over has managed to bring us this outstanding new musical. With his music, and a shared book and lyrics with Justin Greene, a new piece of Musical Theatre History is delivered. One which packs a punch like Mike Tyson and tells a tale to match Hans Anderson. However we must not forget the direction from Jeremy Sams, it was much to be expected from this veteran of theatre, and was inspiring. The cast were all perfectly poised and positioned, and the direction truly reflected on the story. The set also managed to stun and amaze the audience from the gloomy Yorkshire village to the mystical New York each took us directly into the new location. With the razzle-dazzle of the title number, the bar room brawl and the moving conveyor belts you were constantly looking at something new.

The music often sounds similar but a few numbers manage to stand out not least the title song Spend Spend Spend, with its catchy riff and foot tapping beat. The haunting ballad John Collier can easily stand on its own, but the way it was performed was truly awe-inspiring, and pushed home their lives.

Now that cast! They put their lives and souls into Viv's story, although often hearing the exact words and lyrics was a problem, they shone through. Barbara Dickson as expected effortlessly weaved her way through the story as Viv now, but this famous name of theatre will soon be having to share it with the Young Viv played by Rachel Leskovac. A Gail Porter look-alike, her voice, dancing and portrayal of Viv's heartache and romance strikes straight into the audience's heart's and is a name to look out for.

The story itself is simple and true. A Yorkshire lass wins it big on the Pools, and Spend's Spend's Spend's losing everything, including 5 husbands. With masses of humour, brilliant sets and catchy songs this is a new British musical that should Live Live Live!

Its easy to see how it beat off competition from The Lion King and Mamma Mia - the show won Best Musical in both the Critics Circle and Evening Standard Awards in 2000.

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