REVIEW: Dreamgirls WILL make you happy – THREE standing ovations on opening night

And I'm Telling You... my poor knees couldn't have taken another standing ovation.

Dreamgirls opened last night in a dazzling swirl of sequins and swept the ecstatic crowd to their feet over and over in a night of showstopping belters and sensational harmonies.

But can it live up to the memory of the Oscar-winning 2006 film with Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson, let alone the original iconic 1981 stage production?

Can a TV star from Glee really carry the show? 

First, let's settle once and for all that Amber Riley as Effie White has the lungs and acting chops to erase memories of the two illustrious Jennifers. Riley brings her own sass and swagger to the story of the girl with the big voice who doesn't fit into the tiny image of a lead singer.

You could feel the anticipation building for her make or break moment, for THAT song. She duly unleashed a magnificent version of the showstopper, And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going, that brought the house down – and to their feet.

It was the moment that she escaped the memory of Glee, forever overshadowed by Leah Michele's Rachel, and seized the spotlight for herself.

Riley's abilities were already well known, but the revelations of the night came from some of the sensational supporting cast.

Adam J. Bernard as the James Brown-inspired Jimmy Early was utterly electrifying, balanced by the soulful sensitivity of Tyrone Huntley as Effie's young brother. Both possess beautiful voices in a night of spectacular vocals and Joe Arron Reed is pure Broadway class as Curtis.

His fellow Broadway star Liisi LaFontaine suffers in comparison. Partly this is by necessity, since the Deena Jones role requires a less sensational voice, to play the non-threatening Diana Ross-inspired leader of the Dreams. Lafontaine is appealing when vulnerable but doesn't convince as the mesmerising biggest female star in the word, and her voice has a hard edge that slightly grates.

For me, the standout was local girl Ibinabo Jack as the ditsy Lorrell who grows from giddy teen to world-weary woman. Her voice has gorgeous shades of Randy Crawford and her sweetness and sass is irresistible.

Some of the harmonies the girls (and, indeed, the boys in their sections) create throughout are sublime. In fact, the entire supporting cast is as impressive in the slick choreography as they are in the fast-changing musical numbers. 

The show is a treat for the ears and dazzles the eyes, although the heart remains somewhat untouched. The story arcs of redemption or decline are well sketched but never really hit home. 

The show is better in moments of high drama. Tellingly, the two standout numbers are the aforementioned Effie solo and her duet with Deena, Listen (which was rather more blandly done as a solo by Beyonce in the film). Both deservedly received rapturous ovations. The transition from torch song to disco delight in One Night Only is also nicely done.

The rest of the score effectively underpins the story, but by only pastiching the transition from soul to Motown lacks enough memorable numbers or refrains. You will tap your toes and delight in the sensational performances but struggle to hum many of them on the way home.

What you will do, though, is be swept along by the euphoric energy and exhilarating performances.

They're your Dreamgirls, and they WILL make you happy.

Dreamgirls is at the Savoy Theatre in London. For tickets and information go to: www.dreamgirlswestend.com