Review: Jerry Springer - The Opera at the Birmingham Hippodrome, until February 18.

IT'S easy to see why the multi-award winning show Jerry Springer - The Opera has offended so many people.

The show, dogged by controversy and criticism from Christian groups, certainly does not hide away from being totally outrageous.

The first act is a recreation of Springer's notorious talk show, where freaks and weirdos confess their mistakes to loved ones.

The twist is that the show is an opera. So a flood of swearing is delivered stunningly in song.

It's the second act that has really offended Christians across the land, when Springer is dragged to Hell by Satan to perform a very special version of his show.

A gifted cast clearly enjoys belting out a cache of profane songs. Wills Morgan (Jesus) and Dean Hussain (Satan) also shine in duo roles. Rolf Saxon oozes equal amounts of smarm and charm as Springer in what is actually a sympathetic portrayal.

Jerry Springer-The Opera is going to be a show that you will either love or hate. It's either the funniest show ever, or the most offensive thing in the two thousand year-old history of the modern world.

Forget the hurricane of media outrage circling show and go and see Jerry Springer - The Opera for yourself. You might loathe it, or you might be surprised. PM