Take a rollercoaster ride back to the 1960s with this smash-hit musical, loosely inspired by the story of Motown and Diana Ross & The Supremes. Dreamgirls debuted on Broadway 41 years ago but is best known from the 2006 film version starring Jamie Foxx and Beyoncé Knowles. A story of friendship, ambition, and how the former can sometimes be compromised by the latter, the show follows the fortunes of Effie, Lorrell and Deena - three talented young singers in turbulent 1960s America who, managed by a former Cadillac salesman, aim to hit the high notes as girl group the Dreamettes. 

The Alexandra is always a festive-season safe haven from the big-haired dames and custard-pie routines of pantoland, but it can surely be a challenge to figure out exactly what kind of alternative show will go down well with theatre-going audiences during the Christmas holidays. It’s fair to say the venue has made a shrewd choice with Dreamgirls. 

Bursting with energy - the story shifting ahead at an impressive pace - the show is bright, colourful, funny and thoroughly engaging, whisking along its audience on the Dreamettes’ dramatic journey - from naive but aspiring nobodies, to glittering yet troubled superstars. 

Backing it all up with a host of fantastic ’60s routines and a wardrobe of stylish costumes that effectively track the passage of time, the production successfully captures a sense of a long-ago era that remains close to people’s hearts - whether they lived through it themselves or not. 

The soundtrack sizzles with snappy numbers - and although it’s fair to say that none of the songs can match The Supremes at their magnificent best, they’re still good enough to get hands clapping and toes tapping.   

If you’re looking for a high energy, feelgood night out at the theatre this Christmas season, an evening in the company of the Dreamgirls should certainly tick the box for you. The production runs at The Alexandra until New Year’s Eve.

Four stars

Reviewed by Rosie Cole at The Alexandra, Birmingham, on Wednesday 7 December. Dreamgirls continues to show at the venue until Sat 31 December