Sad, funny and true to life, Willy Russell’s television play has been adapted for the stage and given lively exuberant songs. It tells of a bunch of under-privileged schoolchildren who are taken on a day’s outing by their teachers.

A joyous celebration of the joys and agonies of growing up and being free from school, but also a sharp pointer to the depressing present and empty future for the no-hopers, for whom a day out is as much as they can expect.