Who knew that being offensive could be such fun?

The potty-mouthed sensation that is The Book of Mormon is back in Manchester and the production just oozes quality.

Those of a sensitive disposition and probably Mormons should stay away. Nothing is off limits, no subject deemed too outrageous to be the butt of a joke. But this is no foul-mouthed, tirade being offensive purely for the sake of provoking a reaction.

First off, it's mighty funny. There are so many laugh out loud moments you'll be apologising to the person sat next to you only to find them in a similarly helpless state.

Adam Bailey As Elder Price and Sam Glen as Elder Cunningham in The Book of Mormon

Then there is just the quality of the show itself. I was prepared for jokes on supposedly taboo subjects but what I wasn't expecting were the magnificent vocal performances from the entire cast. What a sound they produce. Then it's backed up with pin sharp dance routines which are impressive and hilarious in equal measure.

Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the duo behind South Park and Robert Lopez who was responsible for Avenue Q, The Book of Mormon has become one of the most successful musicals of all time - and you can see why.

Mormon missionaries Elder Price and Elder Cunningham are sent to a remote Ugandan village to spread the word about the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints. Price is the star trainee who dreamed of a posting to Orlando; Cunningham is the nerdy outcast who has a tendency to make things up.

Adam Bailey and Price and Sam Glen as Cunningham are the perfect double act and there's a real charm to their relationship.

Once in Africa they join their fellow missionaries who have totally failed to connect with local villagers.

Nyah Nish and Sam Glen in The Book of Mormon

Nyah Nish as Nabulungi - or Bon Jovi, Neutragena or several other inappropriate names a smitten Elder Cunningham gives her - turns in a memorable performance as the daughter of a village leader. She has one heck of a voice and rightly got an ovation for Sal Tlay Ka Siti, as she dreams of a new new life in the 'promised land'.

If The Book of Mormon wasn't so clever it would fail. But it is razor sharp. Religion, naturally, is a major target but so is cultural appropriation, American idealism, hypocrisy and even the stage musical itself. For the show pulls of the very clever trick of being both a pastiche of musical tropes but also delivering a brilliantly entertaining show.

Songs such as Spooky Mormon Hell Dream and the opening number Hello are both vocally and visually stunning. In their crisp white shirts and black ties, the Mormon missionaries are the perfect dancers.

At times it gets surreal - expect to see Hobbits, Lieutenant Uhuru from Star Trek and a rather large cuddly frog (don't ask!). At others it's actually quite touching.

But above all it's just so entertaining. Yes it's rude, yes it has the potential to be offensive, yes there are moments when you think 'they surely didn't say that', but the great cast pull if off brilliantly.

Until, Saturday, October 5. Details from www.atgtickets.com