Funny indeed. And moving. Sheer class, in fact.

Samantha Spiro is quality through and through in director Angus Jackson's terrific revival of Jule Styne and Bob Merrill's half-forgotten musical.

She needs to stand out and she does, delivering a mesmerising performance as the gutsy Fanny Brice, a girl who determines on stardom and gets it.

Along the way, she picks up a dodgy husband, the charismatic Nick Arnstein, a businessman whose star falters as hers rises.

And between them, they offer some of the night's best moments.

The initial attraction is superbly done, Arnstein (Mark Umbers), debonair, rich, attractive and powerful - just the right consort for the upwardly-mobile Fanny.

There is real tenderness as they realise their career and personal ambitions most definitely coincide.

And then there is genuine heartache as Arnstein fails to keep up with his protegee.

Balancing the private moments are some great public ones, insights into the show-stopping routines which made Fanny the performer she was.

Spiro is superb throughout, leaving you thinking just what a great Piaf she'd make - tiny stature, big voice, star quality, tons of anguish, a taste for wayward blokes etc etc.

But Umbers is no less impressive as the handsome cove who sets her up only to fall behind.

Sheila Steafel and Sebastien Torkia are excellent in support. And musical director Robert Scott is clearly a whizz with the baton.

And so, for the third year running, artistic director Jonathan Midas Touch Church has got his CFT season off to a flying start.

With momentum like this right from the outset, let's all rejoice in the near certainty: we've got a superb summer ahead at Chichester Festival Theatre.

Phil Hewitt