IN these days of box sets, Netflix and the soon-to-be BBC and ITV's Britbox Streaming Package it's good to know that you can pop into a theatre and see a full drama in one satisfying, enjoyable performance in under two and half hours with interval.
A beginning, middle and an end.
Job done.
The Lady Vanishes - from Bill Kenwright's Classic Thriller Theatre Company - ticks all the right boxes.
A new, polished production packed with style and wit and with a stellar cast.
Juliet Mils and Max Caulfield are the famous, very versatile husband and wife team who are joined by some other famous faces of stage and screen.
The action is set in pre-Second World War Europe.
And the audience is taken back to a train station set awash with Swastikas. All very atmospheric and chilling.
The set design from Morgan Large seamlessly switches to train compartments and buffet car and this allows the audience to focus on characterisation and dialogue.
Iris (EastEnders favourite Lorna Fitzgerald) is on a journey back to Blighty when she bumps into the enigmatic Miss Froy.
She vanishes.
This lady is, it seems, not for returning ... or is she?
Add into the melodramatic mix Dr Hartz (Max); a jackbooted Nazi (Joe Reisig) and a magician (Mark Carlisle) with a lot up his sleeve.
There's also a nice guy musician Max played with a James Stewart / Tom Hanks affability by Matt Barber.
There's plenty of laughs from Charters (Robert Duncan) and Caldicott (Ben Nealon); two cricket loving fans who bowl the audience over.
It is a slick adaptation of the 1938 Hitchcock film. It's more than a whodunnit.
And as Shakespeare (and our cricket buffs would say) .... there's the rub.
Director Roy Marsden is at home in this cleverly paced drama which features perfect timing from all the cast.
This touring version is right on track.
Beware ... there are gunshots, a nun in high heels, some haunting music and a guest appearance from a legendary figure from history.
Intrigued?
The Lady Vanishes has all the answers.
Why not make an appearance and take a break from the telly.
Four Stars
First Class
The show ends its Floral Pavilion run on Saturday.
Tickets from 0151 666 0000.
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