The current tour of Fame started in Brighton last year and was a sell-out. Now it's back and looking to be a sell-out yet again.

Reality TV shows such as Pop Idol and Fame Academy and other ways of becoming an instant celebrity have no doubt helped pave the way for this show which was inspired by the Oscar-winning film and subsequent Eighties TV series. The message is: Be a winner.

But Fame at least has the honour of being the most honest of these shows as it takes a group of talented youngsters and puts them through their paces at New York's High School For The Performing Arts.

True, the performing arts mostly on display here are dance and pop singing, although nods are made in the direction of ballet, classical music and drama.

This is a feel-good show, even if the only remaining tune from the film is the title song.

The score is lively and certainly loud and the characters emerge from the song lyrics and the modern dance - there is only minimal dialogue.

The dance is certainly energetic and stamina is needed.

The show has dated somewhat but the ensemble cast are certainly not.

They strut their stuff with energy and enthusiasm and, with a running time of two-and-three-quarter hours, give excellent value for money.

Like the film, there are various stock characters but you do come to believe in them.

There is Tyrone, a black kid from a tough district. He is a brilliant dancer but not much good academically and is constantly under the threat of expulsion.

There's a gay guy who may not be gay, the son of a classical music star who wants to play rock 'n' roll and an overweight girl who just cannot get her dance steps together.

While all are ambitious, there is the one over-the-top ambitious girl who cannot wait for fame and turns to drugs with tragic consequences.

So the message is work hard, get an education, don't do drugs and you, too, will be a winner.

My only quibble with this show is the level of amplification. The Theatre Royal is only small and such noise isn't necessary.

But Fame is a good show and will have you dancing out afterwards.

For tickets and further information, call 01273 328488.