What many are likely expecting with the UK stage premiere of Dreamgirls is something vaguely similar to Bill Condon’s 2006 film, starring Beyonce Knowles and an Oscar winning Jennifer Hudson. Few have seen the original musical, opening on Broadway in 1981 and perhaps even more are oblivious to its existence before the big screen adaptation. This is fine, great even. It’s crazy that London is only just seeing the Dreamgirls musical with its glitz and glam adding even more dazzle to the City’s flashy, festive exterior, but thank St Nick it has finally arrived and with it a new and completely gobsmacked audience.

Dreamgirls follows the rise of fictional 1960s girl group The Dreams (née The Dreamettes) from naïve – if very ambitious – girls to superstars. They are led by Effie White (Amber Riley), a no-nonsense powerhouse and mother figure to Deena Jones (Liisi LaFontaine) and Lorrell Robinson (Ibinabo Jack). Problems begin to emerge as soon as they are ‘discovered’ by Curtis Taylor Jr (Joe Aaron Reid) and his relationship with Effie is put in jeopardy after the more mainstream, pretty Deena is placed at the forefront.

Clearly Tom Eyen and Henry Krieger’s story is inspired by Diana Ross and The Supremes but Dreamgirls isn’t quite as visual about the cut-throat business it describes, rather it focuses on the voices, the songs and the aesthetics. From start to finish we are treated to Gregg Barnes’ completely fabulous costumes which, like Josh Marquette’s hair designs, illustrate wonderfully the journey the girls go on, from safe, homemade dresses and cheap, backwards facing wigs to long, glittering, sequined and expensive ones. Tim Hatley’s set pieces are mesmerising show-stoppers.

This is a singer’s show and praise be to Queen B there are some knockouts here. LaFontaine holds just enough back to convince the audience she is not the true star of The Dreams and the show. There’s plenty of charisma and attitude however, especially once Deena becomes a household name and it is clear she deserves to be where she is, despite the questionable moves to get there. Jack isn’t so much a cup full of charisma as a stage full of sass. She is hilarious as the third Dream and is never left in the shadows of the other girls. Both bring power and edge with their vocals.

The moment Riley begins ‘And I am Telling You (I’m Not Going)’, it is clear something very special is about to occur, however the unpredictable joy of not really knowing just how special it is going to be, ultimately makes this perhaps one of the best musicals London has ever seen. Riley’s vocals are out of this world, not just with this song but throughout. The emotion, the everything she gives to this particular moment is just sublime. A duet with LaFontaine on a newly crafted ‘Listen’ is infinitely better than the version written for the screen and boasts one of several standing ovations from the audience. There just isn’t a single weak link in the cast; the talent here is staggering.

Dreamgirls is going to please long time fans of the musical, whether it be those of the original Broadway show or the film; perhaps complete virgins. Prepare to be transfixed and very, very moved.

Dreamgirls is playing the Savoy Theatre and is booking until October 2017.

Photo: Brinkhoff/Mögenburg