THIS week, Edinburgh King’s theatre is host to “Son Of A Preacher Man” a brand new musical based on the songs of 60s singing superstar Dusty Springfield, writes Times Theatre critic Kerry Black.

In a night of sheer nostalgia, I was amazed how many of her songs I knew!

The beauty of her songs is that she worked with some of the greatest songwriters ever, Burt Bacharach being one of them. Many of her ballads contain such wonderful stories that they are ideal for a musical.

With a book by Warner Brown and with Strictly’s famous Craig Revel Horwood as Director and Choreographer, the expectations were high. I saw Craig’s Fiddler at The Festival Theatre a few years ago, so I know he can pull off a cracking show.

With Morgan Large’s impressive design, the set literally unfolded before our eyes.

Following the classic musical story route of boy meets girl (or in this case boy meets boy) and the convoluted paths they follow to reach their happy ending, the show opens as three strangers return to the site of a famous old record shop called The Preacher Man, now running as a coffee shop. They are all looking for something or someone special and hope that coming here can help them.

The original owner’s son, who is quite literally The Son Of A Preacher Man, still lives above the shop, played by TV soap favourite Ian Reddington, who held the whole show together, with his strong acting and singing. Debra Stephenson, the well known impressionist, played Alison a widowed woman who is still looking for love, while the utterly charming Michael Howe, played Paul a middle aged man who is hoping to find the boy he met years ago in the record store.

X Factor star Diana Vickers should have played Kat, a young girl drawn to the store by her granny’s memories, however, sadly she was ill and in a real 42nd Street moment, the understudy took her role. Jess Barker was simply outstanding as Kat with a real, big, gutsy voice. Amazing!

There was a strong supporting cast and I was delighted to see Fife’s very own Liam Vincent-Kilbride as the kilt wearing object of Kat’s desire. He could give the Scot’s Porage Oats Man a run for his money, as well as singing, dancing and acting, he even played the cello too! In common with Horwood’s Fiddler, the multi talented cast, played a whole assortment of instruments onstage.

The show runs daily at Edinburgh King’s Theatre at 7.30pm, plus matinees, until Saturday October 21, call 0131 529 6000 to book.