THERE is a mystery in the title of this unashamedly look-back-in-fondness docu-musical drama.

Why is there no apostrophe in Vernons Girls?

Surely Vernon's Girls or Vernons' Girls?

One of the co-founders in 1925 was Manchester department store owner Vernon Sangster, who teamed up with Wirral businessman George Randall Kennerley to create Vernons' Pools.

More local history is revealed during this two-hour production.

Director Bob Eaton has a formidable track record in recreating the sounds and the scenarios of the 50s and 60s culture always ticking the right boxes.

From Lennon to the recent spellbinding Two of Us, you know Bob gets the best he can out of his cast and crew.

The all-female on-stage ensemble is outstanding individually and collectively. Many are multi-instrumentalists who work very hard from the outset.

Visually and orally it reminded me of the talent-packed shows The Everyman is renowned for.

The lengthy opening scene, however, could happily drop a number without losing any of the momentum.

It's an upbeat tale of how initially 16 girls from the Aintree-based football pools company's own choir soared into fame (if not fortune) over the late 50s and early 60s decades.

There is a running gag here about the other pools organisation beginning with L - down the road (they also had a choir).

The Vernons Girls eventually dwindled down to three having enjoyed television, recording and the glitz of the London Palladium along the way.

This is not a play but more a reverential revue.

And it is not like the normal laughter-drenched Royal Court shows.

Here writer Karen Brown with a good ear for dialogue offers a gentler humour - no swearing or sex or drugs but plenty of rock and roll.

It is an ensemble piece performed on Alfie Heywood's period set which shows atmospheric archive footage on a back-projection screen.

A name to look out for is Jessica Dives in her role as the Musical Director of the production and also playing the part of visionary TV producer of Oh Boy! Jack Goode.

This is a feel-good story told with the enthusiasm and the spirit of those unique Vernons Girls.

Now where did I put that apostrophe?

Verdict: Four stars

Waves of nostalgia

The production's run ends on July 8.

Tickets from 0151 709 1234