50 First Dates review - Musical of beloved Adam Sandler romcom is sheer delight

David Rossmer and Steve Rosen's musical adaptation of the Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore movie is an unalloyed delight. With memory loss elements of Groundhog Day, Memento and Random Harvest, it's a romantic comedy with a difference.

Travel blogger Henry (Josh St Clair) is working on a project that entails serial dating in a 24 hour 'love 'em and leave 'em' scenario. It's all going well until he falls for Lucy (Georgina Castle) in a small town in Key Largo who upsets his plans. The trouble is, owing to a car accident Lucy suffers from short term memory loss and she has no memory of their first encounter. Every morning, Henry has to start all over again.

Further complications arise when Henry is warned off by Lucy's over protective brother (Charlie Toland) and father (John Marquez) who fear that her condition will make her vulnerable if she leaves the community that accommodates it.

The vibrant songs (the hilarious Key Largo is followed by smoochy duet They're Not You) and inventive choreography keep the emotional narrative fluid and there are notable contributions from Chad Saint Louis, Ricky Rojas, Georgia Arron and Aiesha Naomi Pease.

Director Casey Nicholaw makes the most of his talented ensemble and the adaptable set, delivering a delirious coup de théâtre at the climax. A musical romcom with a heart and a brain.

50 FIRST DATES: THE OTHER PALACE TO NOVEMBER 16