A "HILARIOUS romp through the bubble-gum years of teenage life" is the official synopsis for George Steel's 12-year-old play Like A Virgin.

Although some of the scenes are fruity indeed and the weighty emotional issues give the audience plenty to chew over, thankfully there is no cheap after-taste to this production.

The play revolves around teenage best friends Angela (Stacey Sampson) and Maxine (Julie Wilkinson) as they bunk off school, obsess about Madonna and dream of becoming famous through emulating their heroine.

The audience is taken on an emotional journey with the girls as they live out the highs and lows of teenage life, with much bittersweet comedy littered throughout.

Sampson and Wilkinson are well cast as the often bickering best friends, with neither actress overpowering the other.

Susan Mitchell puts in an emotionally charged but believable performance as Angela's long-suffering mother, Viv.

She is a fairly clichéd character - poor, northern, single mum trying to do her best for her family - but Mitchell's performance draws you into her desolate world and ensures Viv is not overshadowed by the central characters.

Wilkinson's Maxine supplies most of the comedy moments and is often a welcome respite from the more tragic elements of the play, which sometimes threaten to plunge the audience into a deep depression.

Cameo turns from director Keith Hukin, as leather-jacketed guitarist Monkey, also help to lighten the mood when the going gets heavy.

An intensely moving production, enhanced by the intimacy of The Studio stage, Like A Virgin comes highly recommended.

- Alexa Copeland