If life is just a work in progress then the life of musician Boy George and his contemporaries as told in his musical Taboo is about as colourful as it could get.

Audiences at Bristol Hippodrome this week have been treated to a fantastic 80s revival as the tale of the birth of New Romantic era is told with passion and vigour.

A child of the 80s, I have always been a massive fan and my only disappointment was that I was not old enough to be fully part of the one of the most influential times in pop culture history.

If life in Britain in the 1980s is punctuated by self, confrontation, greed, glamour and money, then Taboo, centred around the opening of the nightclub of the same name, encompasses the era fully. But it adds a vital ingredient - love - albeit unconventional and at times slightly shocking - what else would you expect from a production written by Boy George?

The talented company is a joy to watch. Drew Jaymson delights as sympathetic, but very bitchy, club organiser Phillip Sallon. An instant audience favourite, Sallon plays an important narrative role in his position as everyone's friend.

Declan Bennett gives the character of confused wannabe photographer Billy soul. As he aspires to have his name in lights at any costs, Bennett punctuates his life with songs of sorrow and mistrust.

Steven Osborne could not have more different roles to play in Derek, Billy's unemployed gambling father - epitomising everything New Romanticism is not and drug-dealing transvestite Petal.

Ashleigh Gray is stunning as Kim, her fantastic voice is powerful in her poignant solos and works in perfect harmony in her many duets.

Stephen Ashfield is uncanny in his portrayal of Boy George. A performance that I am sure George would be proud of, Ashfield has clearly researched his subject perfectly with every movement more convincing and his voice giving magic to Do You Really Want to Hurt Me.

As we watch George's fall from grace, played with such emotion by Ashfield you really begin to empathise with the character and feel the battle he, very publicly, experienced to overcome drugs.

Boy George would not be complete without his gender-transcending pop star friend Marilyn. Played by the stunning James Gillan, the pair has a real bond telling of the strong, yet wildly competitive relationship of the two friends.

Australian Mark Little is perfect as designer, artist and performer Leigh Bowery. Eccentric to the core, from the moment Bowery is introduced wearing a green and pink polka-dot suit, with make-up to match, I was amazed by Little's performance. Over the top, artistic through and through, Bowery is a fantastic character and Little a brilliant performer - it was always going to be a treat to watch.

On leaving the theatre I heard a few people say: "Well that was a bit different wasn't it." But mainly people, of all ages, were turning to their friends and partners saying "brilliant." 

And that's what Taboo is - nothing short of brilliant. But be warned. It is meant to shock and it times it may, but it mainly entertains - you will laugh, sing, tap your feet, possibly cry, and definitely leave the Hippodrome with a big smile.

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