Michael Rose's production combines the guts of Warner Brother's cult horror thriller movie with Bette Davis and Joan Crawford's own cutting rivalry.

In a shrewd move the world premiere, a musical in concert version, was staged at the Theatre Royal, with a full West End production in its sights.

Taking the work in progress element into account, given the enthusiastic response and the current popularity of the musical noire, Rose could well have found a hit cult show.

Spot-on casting of Millicent Martin as Jane Hudson proved a major pull and she is Grand Guignoi superb. This is a subtle, biting, electrifying performance that does not miss a trick. The curiosity factor was another pull.

It is entertaining, glitzy, fun even, disturbing and a touch spooky. But scary it is not.

However, Henry Farrell's book, Lee Pockriss' music and Hal Hackady's lyrics are cleverly crafted with a Sondheim touch that well suits them.

The 17 piece orchestra, under Chris Walker's direction, is very classy. Its superbly balanced, stylish interpretation is complemented by the whole company's strong, passionate singing.

Jan Hartley's Blanche Hudson has the right quality of tortured but enduring beauty. Choreographer Gillian Gregory's ebullient sequences captured the Hollywood sparkle. And John Conroy's vaudeville Daddy Hudson makes a neat Impact.

Jun Whitehead (The Stage)