Review : Funny Girl The Musical at the Cliffs Pavilion Southend IT is probably best to address the elephant in the room straight away.

There was more than a hint of disappointment all round when we learned top television and stage actress Sheridan Smith would not be performing her hit role of Fanny Brice on the Southend leg of the regional tour due to illness.

But this small feeling of anti-climax lasted pretty much until Natasha J Barnes sang her first notes in the acclaimed role she had already understudied for Sheridan during its West End run.

She is quite simply mesmerising in the role and quite rightly earned herself a standing ovation - high praise indeed from an audience which slightly sagged at the tannoy confirmation they would not be seeing Sheridan Smith.

The story of one of America's earliest comic stars, who made her name in the famous Ziegfield Follies, and her private life is vividly brought to life in this all-singing, all-dancing colourful production.

Both funny and sad, at the heart is the rags to riches tale of Fanny and her romance with the suave wheeler dealer Nick Arnstein, played X-Factor alumni Darius Campbell who has found huge success in stage musicals.

Playing the leading role means having to act and sing Fanny Brice from her awkward teenage years right through to her marriage and becoming a mother - it is surely a role any stage actress would relish and Natasha J Barnes really does deliver.

There is huge sadness here and also lots of laughs and both are perfectly timed.

The two leads and supporting cast are faultless, the costumes beautiful and the songs memorable.

I didn't leave feeling disappointed - I left feeling I had seen a production, and an actress, people will definitely be talking about in years to come.

* Funny Girl is at the Cliffs Pavilion until Saturday June 24, when there will be a matinee and evening performance. Lauren Oldershaw

Book online at www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk or at the box office on 01702 351135.