Even with understudies in two of the lead roles and the merest apology of a story stringing the Eighties rock anthems together, the audience was having a whale of a time at this crowd-pleasing jukebox musical which – no matter what the critical verdict – is probably destined for a lengthy run.

If you can forget subtlety, ignore the lazy construction and forgive the often feeble jokes, you’ll enjoy wannabe rock star (Oliver Tompsett) wooing wannabe actress Sherrie with Waiting for a Girl Like You and the energetic cast belting out Final Countdown as they battle to save Sunset Strip from the clutches of a German property developer.

Shaftesbury Theatre, WCH 8DP. Until Nov 26. £10-£49.50
shaftesburytheatre.com 
Tube: Holborn