Tribute to Jessie Matthews

In the 1930s the all-singing, all-dancing Jessie Matthews was the undisputed queen of the box office, both in the West End and at the cinema.

Despite a comeback - of sorts - on the 1960s radio soap Mrs Dale's Diary, her memory has been eclipsed by the fame of more robust stars such as Gertrude Lawrence.

But not for much longer. Richard Stirling's show Over My Shoulder is an affectionate tribute to Matthews, and a wonderful reminder of her fruitful association with some of the greatest songwriters of all time: Rodgers and Hart, Noel Coward and Irving Berlin.

There's not a dud number in the show, the tap choreography is infectious, and Matthews's rags-to-riches-to-rags story is told with efficiency and a perfect light touch.

It's a small-scale affair (eight performers and a piano) which sometimes feels dwarfed in this transfer to the Wyndhams auditorium; the singers occasionally needing amplification.

But Anne Rogers and Jo Gibb compensate in spades with charming, make-it-seem-easy performances, and you're bound to come out humming the tunes. A real treat.

Until Nov 8, Wyndhams Theatre, Charing Cross Road WC2, Mon to Sat 7.30pm, Wed and Sat mats 2.30pm, £10 to £28. Tel: 020 7369 1736. Tube: Leicester Square

Over My Shoulder