THE Royal Exchange can always be relied upon to provide something special over the festive period but the theatre has excelled itself this time round.

Gypsy is quite simply a pure, unmitigated delight from start to finish.

Although classed as a musical, play with music would be a more accurate description of this engaging production inspired by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee.

At its heart it's a tale of a mother and her daughters; a tale of hope and dreams and a tale of people struggling to cope with a changing world.

With a running time of over three hours plus an interval, it's one of the longer productions you are likely to see. But as a testament to how good it is, you won't be tempted to look at your watch once I promise you - it is so engaging.

Ria Jones turned in a powerful, emotive and at times astonishing performance as Rose, a mother who dreams of making her daughter June a star.

At times offering a vaudeville version of Del Boy's 'one-day we will all be millionaires' optimism she is relentless in pursuing her goals.

From an early age she creates an act pushing her daughter forward - often at the expense of younger sister Louise.

Such pressure merely pushes June away - a recurring theme throughout Rose's life and so she turns her considerable attention and puts Louise in the spotlight. She in turn rebels and becomes the world's most famous burlesque artist.

Ria Jones does a fabulous job in creating this flawed character who at times you feel deeply for and at others you despair about.

Is she the ultimate pushy mum? Does she simply want the best for her children? Or are her motives purely selfish?

One thing I didn't expect from Gypsy was that it would be so funny. At times it's hilarious and often slightly bonkers - a pantomime cow, a stripper with an angle grinder (don't ask).

There isn't a single weak link in the the whole production.

You'll know many of the songs including Everything's Coming Up Roses and Together. The staging of what was a Broadway hit in the round is totally immersive. You'll marvel at the dance routines - particularly Louis Gaunt as Tulsa and be totally charmed by the young performers who play Baby June and co starting out in showbiz. Marley Quinlan-Gardner as Baby June reduced many in the audience to tears of laugher.

Special mention too to Melissa James as Louise whose metamorphosis from clumsy, shy, unwilling sidekick - and front of the pantomime cow - to the beautiful, confident and independent Gypsy Rose Lee is a work of great subtlety.

Ria Jones final number - Rose's Turn - brought the house down. It was the fitting culmination to a very special evening.

Give yourself a present this Christmas and go and see it.

Gypsy is at the Royal Exchange until January 25. Details from www.royalexchange.co.uk or 0161 833 9833