Musical theatre has been superseded a little by some of the more modern productions like Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen and even things like Disney's Frozen. 

But the new production fo 42nd Street currently touring across the UK, including the Bristol Hippodrome just down the M4, is a strong reminder of the more classic and good old fashioned glitz and glamour routes of the country's showbusiness industry. 

Starring Samantha Womack of Eastenders Fame, Steps' Faye Tozer and enduring icon Les Dennis, 42nd Street tells the story of a down-on-his-luck but legendary stage director Julian Marsh hoping that his latest production will turn his fortunes around. 

At the same time his lead star Dorothy Brock is trying to hide a love affair from her sugar daddy who is financing the show and an irrepressible plucky dreamer Peggy Sawyer is hoping to break into the industry. 

All of the performances are excellent with Womack perfectly cutting as the diva-ish Brock and Nicole-Lily Basden shining as the 'real' star of the show - the all singing all dancing stage prodigy - who through a series of hijinks and very of-their-time misunderstandings ends up taking the lead in 42nd Street's show-within-a-show Pretty Lady. 

But, in my opinion, the real star of the show was the overall production - clearly a lot of money and a lot of time has been spent making this production look as amazing as possible. 

The costumes throughout are all highly polished, respectful to the time period and extremely glamorous, the staging and set are sublime especially when we start getting into seeing Pretty Lady unfold with a fully formed theatre stage being created on the Hippodrome stage. 

Clever use of curtains allows us to see backstage as the production is happening, from still from the point of view of the audience, and other musical numbers like Shadow Walt and the titular song 42nd Street have a very simple but incredible set design that really helps them stand out. 

The show also has some really fun meta moments referencing the fact it's about a musical show and IS a musical show. There's a joke about the band being put in the pit for a reason, and the act one finale fake-out followed by an earnest direction from Julian Marsh to seek a refund at the box office is brilliant. 

If you're nostalgic over the era of Gene Kelly and Singing in the Rain then this is the show for you - and if you just love musicals you won't go wrong with this either!