A Chorus Line at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh

Life isn't just glitz and glamour for those who dedicate their lives to entertaining us. In fact, it rarely is. Even big stars suffer from the insecurity which comes from an industry where no-one can ever be sure of their next job.

When they are in work, punishing schedules and, especially in musical theatre, gruelling training, can often mean a life of blood, sweat and tears.

But they do it because they have to; it's in their DNA. What I Did for Love, the show's titular song, says, 'What we did we had to do'. One character says, 'No-one comes into this business to play safe. We are here because we want to be'.

Thank God for them! And thank God for Michael Bennett whose original idea to tell the real stories of Broadway 'gypsies' is the multi-award-winning blockbuster we know and love today.

From 24 hours of reel to reel tape recordings he made in an exercise centre in New York in 1974 was born a show which is heart-breaking, insightful and inspirational.

It gives us a glimpse of what has drawn these performers to perform, their backstories, and what they go through to do what they are doing. And it also satisfies dance fans with its incredible routines.

Under Nikolai Foster's fast-paced direction and Ellen Kane's stunning choreography, every member of the cast is a star; each and every one has their moment in the spotlight – and on video, courtesy of the on-stage cameraman who captures their different personalities and quirks.

This is a two-hour, non-stop celebration of theatre, a whirlwind journey depicting the lives of unsung chorus members without whom there wouldn't be a show.

This production is not just a singular sensation, it's a multiple one, which ends spectacularly and well deserved the lengthy standing ovation on opening night.

Image: Marc Brenner

A Chorus Line is at The Festival Theatre Edinburgh until Sept 28.

Box Office: 0131 529 6000

capitaltheatres.com

The tour then ends at the Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe from Sept 30-Oct 5.