Rudy's Rare Records (Birmingham Rep)

Rudy's Rare Records began life as a half-hour Radio 4 comedy programme and has made the transition to stage courtesy of its author Danny Robins and its star Lenny Henry. But, like the Jamaican granddad of the title, there's no disguising its roots, and this show, running at nearly three hours, amounts to a heavily extended sitcom episode.

The good news is, it's high-quality sitcom. The jokes come relentlessly fast, they're mostly very funny – when you can penetrate the thick Caribbean accents of some of the characters – and there are some three-dimensional, believable characters who people the old-fashioned vinyl emporium that is threatened with demolition.

Henry plays returning prodigal son Adam, back to look after his failing-hearted father Rudy and the shop where he grew up. The twist is that Adam himself is a dad, determined not to replay with his own son the prickly relationship he's experienced with Rudy.

The three generations are touchingly played by Henry, Joivan Wade as uni student Richie and veteran comedy actor Larrington Walker as the grumpy old man with a veritable casino of chips on his shoulder.

A live band, ostensibly rehearsing in the back room of the record shop, provides some tidy backing for a reggae soundtrack throughout, as well as affording Henry the opportunity to indulge in some trademark character comedy work.

It's not what you'd call theatre with a message – there's a minor rant about Amazon and iTunes and some schmaltzy stuff about fatherhood – but it's a fun, fast-paced evening of unashamed entertainment and toe-tapping tunes. Birmingham certainly seemed to like it a lot. The Hackney Empire, where it was co-produced and to where it transfers, will unquestionably adore it.

Rudy's Rare Records continues at Birmingham Rep until 20 September; it transfers to Hackney Empire from 24 September to 5 October 2014