This infectious revival of a comedy musical, full of verve and vibrancy, is sure to ring the cash registers for another West End transfer.

Two decades after it first run, this is a fitting tribute to Philip Hedley, the former artistic director of Stratford East, who passed away in January. The show retains its verve and vibrancy without sacrificing any of the social commentary that is woven throughout the enduringly compelling story.

Paul Sirrett and Tameka Empson’s story is based on Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour Lost, a classic battle-of-the-sexes tale. Dennis (Daley), Ferdie (Samuels), Bernie (Campbell) and Lennie (Queensborough), four Caribbean men, step off the Empire Windrush after being invited by the mother country to rebuild after the war. In their drive to succeed, they make a pact to swear off women for three years. They are young, energetic and talented – the audience believe them when they sing ‘the sky’s the limit’ – but their exuberance quickly clashes with the realities of racism and colonial attitudes.

Perhaps the best part of this production is how it can acknowledge the difficulties the characters face in post-war Britain – discrimination, violence and racism – without ever letting those things define them. Paul Joseph’s score, a mixture of ska, soul, blues, r’n’b and soul, both transports the audience to the dancehalls of the era and centres the joy and resilience of the Windrush generation.

The production is girded by a stellar cast and creative team. Rachel John’s Zulieka and Ashley Samuel’s Ferdy have electric chemistry whilst Juliet Agnew and Khalid Daley could make singing the alphabet feel sensuous. Tameka Empson’s Mrs Aphrodite anchors the play, at times tender and earnest, but always hilarious. Jasmine Swan’s set dovetails beautifully with Elliott Griggs’s lighting, skilfully capturing the era and the moods of the characters.

What elevates this production from good to great is its humanity. It doesn’t duck the issues; indeed, Empson rightly holds successive governments to account for the Windrush scandal, that saw so many Caribbean elders treated abominably by the state. However, this is Kathy, Sybil, Zulieka, Mary and their lovers’ story. The focus on their interplay and desire to make this country a better place than they found it is the most fitting tribute of all.

Check out more from Theatre Royal Stratford East| Find out more about Tinuke Craig| Tameka Empson |
| See more Off/Stage Review Bytes on IG |