THEIRS was a fairytale rock ‘n’ roll story.

Four blue-collar boys from the mean streets of the Bronx and New Jersey who found fortune and fame through a shared love of music and a dazzling set of harmonies.

The Four Seasons ruled the charts in the 1960s with hits such as ‘Sherry’, ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’ and ‘Walk Like A Man’, thanks to keyboardist and songwriter Bob Gaudio’s infectious, doo-wop melodies and singer Frankie Valli’s soaring, falsetto voice.

Now, the tale of how these four young graduates with mob connections and shadowy pasts rose to become one of the greatest vocal harmony bands of all time hits the Liverpool Empire Theatre in jukebox musical ‘Jersey Boys’.

Presented in a documentary style and structured as four ‘seasons’, with each section narrated by a different band member, the show dramatises the inception, career and eventual break-up of the band.

Little was previously known of the offstage lives of the Four Seasons, who also comprised guitarist and founder member Tommi DeVito and bassist Nick Massi.

But ‘Jersey Boys’ delves deep to show the grittier side of their rock ‘n’ roll story, one that was beset by gambling problems, mob debts, alcoholism, family rifts, revenge, betrayal and heartbreak.

Set against a simple set that nods to the boys’ working class, industrial roots, the cast power their way through all the hits, including ‘Oh What A Night’, ‘My Eyes Adored You’, ‘Beggin’ and ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’.

It reminds us of just how prolific The Four Seasons were; a note in the programme lists further hits that aren’t included in the musical, including such juggernauts as ‘Grease’ and ‘Ain’t That A Shame’.

Tim Driesen is sensational as Frankie Valli; his slight frame belies an immense voice that perfectly matches the original Valli’s unique and extraordinary range.

Lewis Griffiths is charismatic and charming as straight-faced bassist Nick Massi, and his booming bass voice is almost as impressive as Driesen’s falsetto.

The four male leads have a playful, easy chemistry that is believable and affecting; their portrayal of the quartet’s friendship leads you to believe that the Seasons were very much a band of brothers.

The costumes and staging perfectly evoke the 1960s, with pop-art backdrops and Cadillacs adding extra drops of nostalgia.

Surprisingly moving and full of pathos, ‘Jersey Boys’ will have you clapping along with joy one moment and aching with emotion the next.

A toe-tapping trip down memory lane, catch it while you can for a masterclass in perfect pop that cements The Four Seasons much-deserved status as legendary icons of rock ‘n’ roll.

**** Four stars

Jersey Boys is at Liverpool Empire unril Saturday July 4. For more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/shows/jersey-boys/liverpool-empire