FIND me anyone who can sit through Cell Block Tango and NOT tap their feet, NOT whoop a cheer for killer women and NOT fall in love with these lethal damsels-of-death, and I’ll eat a set of gallows...

Because if Chicago is nothing else, it’s a glorious celebration of how sex sells.

And if it sells as good as this production looks, my bet is it’ll be around for a good while yet.

Set in America’s Windy City during the Prohibition era, the story concerns two women, Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, who both murder the men in their lives (or at least the men in their lives at that precise moment).

And in a story as old as time, it quickly becomes apparent that it’s not so much the crime that matters but the ‘celebrity’ it creates.

Of course, in this particular tale of fishnet stockings, ripped torsos and brilliant choreography, the intervention of smooth-as-sap lawyer Billy Flynn ensures the two killers become overnight sensations and take the city by storm.

And no, their new found status – and innocence – has absolutely nothing to do with their inability to wear anything but the wispiest lingerie.

But hey, that’s the seamy underside of 1920s Chicago, an environment and geo-graphy which, for an audience at least, creates a perfect platform for some truly unforgettable showstoppers.

None of this make it necessarily a great night out, but in this instance, corruption, sexploitation, greed, stabbings, poisonings and shootings turn it into an irresistible treat. And, believe it or not, a great family night out to boot.

The band, which actually fills a good half of the stage, forms the perfect backdrop to a foreground of stockings, slicked-down hair and seedy, salacious characters, all joyously embraced by a cast of hugely talented performers (oh, and us too).

Indeed, were the characters anything but innocent, chances are we’d all lose interest by the end of Act One. But thankfully, since everyone is corrupt and sticky as used chip fat oil, we all get hooked from the show’s opening bars.

Especially worthy of note are TV star Ali Bastian, once of Hollyoaks, who never actually seems to leaves the stage, and Stefan Booth, also a Hollyoaks and EastEnders veteran but now nicely fitting the shoes of lawyer-cum-showman Billy Flynn.

Both are illuminating and refreshing.

The big question is however... is it worth the money? It certainly is.

Chicago continues at the New Theatre Oxford until Saturday. For tickets call 0844 871 3020 or go to www.newtheatreoxford.org.uk