Christmas at the Royal Exchange has always been something to look forward to. The theatre has a reputation for putting on a festive production that is just that little bit different from the traditional fare.

This year is no exception with a revival of the musical Spend Spend Spend, which manages to be both joyous and heartbreaking at the same time.

The cast of Spend Spend Spend at the Royal Exchange (Picture: Helen Murray)The story of Viv Nicholson, a working class lass from Castleford who with her husband won £152,300 18 shillings and eight pence on the football pools in 1961, is part cautionary tale, part celebration of a woman who took everything the world could throw at her and carried on regardless.

Audiences are going to love this show - partly because it's not that often performed so even though you may know the basic story outline, you're effectively coming to it anew.

And what a treat you have in store.

Central to that is the performance of Rachel Leskovac as Viv. Returning to the show which first made her name - she played Young Viv in the West End 25 years ago - she turns in an outstanding performance. She's our guide to what was an extraordinary life. Pools win aside there was also the five husbands, the domestic abuse and such dramatic highs and lows it would have left most people a broken shell.

Now known for her TV work, this role should surely see Rachel Leskovac appearing in more high-profile stage productions pretty quickly. She's knowing, warm and utterly believable - and what a voice, who knew?

Read more: 'It feels as if it was meant for me to return to Spend Spend Spend'

Which brings us to the songs. Unless you are a musical theatre fanatic, it's unlikely you will know many, if any of the numbers. But they are great. The ensemble singing is one of the highlights of the entire piece and the live band tucked away out of sight in their own little boxes on the outside of the theatre module are simply fabulous.

Rose Galbraith as Young Viv in Spend Spend Spend (Picture: Helen Murray)Just as playing Young Viv all those years ago saw Rachel Leskovac's career take off, the same should happen for Rose Galbraith undertaking the role in this production. She's feisty, fearless and yet extremely vulnerable, struggling to come to terms with her new-found wealth and change of circumstances which leads her to realise she doesn't fit in. One bad decision follows another and your heart goes out to her.

And again, like her older counterpart, she brings the songs to life. The occasions where they duet together will have the hairs standing up on the back of your neck.

Spend Spend Spend at the Royal Exchange (Picture: Helen Murray)A circular stage is cleverly used and imaginative props add to the sense of fun.

Spend Spend Spend serves as a warning to everyone who dreams of winning big - money doesn't buy you happiness, at least not permanently. But for the theatregoer this Christmas it's also a genuine delight. It sparkles, tugs at your heart strings and has you laughing, often all at the same time.

Go on treat yourself - Viv would approve.

Until January 11. Details from www.royalexchange.co.uk