WHEN James Duffy and Emily Carter sang in West Side Story the Altrincham Garrick auditorium was full of magic.

I can’t remember the last time I felt so excited by the performances of two leads and whoever decided to cast them as the young lovers Tony and Maria made a truly inspired choice.

Emily in particular has a voice so pure listening to it will make you go weak at the knees and if these two don’t make a career out of musical theatre it will be a cruel travesty.

It may be the Garrick’s centenary season but this is very much the company’s present to us. West Side Story may seem like it has been around forever, but the production team and a cast dripping with talent and oozing energy will make audiences feel they’re watching a world premiere.

The sumptuous Bernstein/Sondheim score is as timeless as it is brilliant and it is impossible to name the best songs for the simple reason it is completely devoid of weak numbers.

Inspired by Romeo and Juliet, the show sees Shakespeare’s feuding families swapped for street gangs and Craig Richardson is particularly good as Det Shrank, the hard boiled cop trying to keep the peace.

Add some exciting and stylish choreography and you have a production that you simply can’t afford to miss. Go and pack the place - to the rafters. Stunning. * Until May 24. The box office is on 0161 928 1677. Star rating - *****