It's Dawson's Creek for the modern era - with the added bonus of a spectacular score.

Dear Evan Hansen, this week's theatrical treat at Mayflower Theatre, is a masterpiece of teen angst to rival that American TV drama I so loved in the late 90s and early 00s.

It's thought-provoking, emotionally charged and cleverly staged. 

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Anxiety-ridden schoolboy Evan Hansen wants nothing more than to fit in. He's sent for counselling by his concerned mother and encouraged to write himself daily affirmations.

When one of them is misconstrued and wrongly considered to be a classmate's suicide note, a white lie from Evan soon spirals out of control.

As the supposed best friend of the victim, replacement son for his family and president of his charity foundation, Evan gets all the attention he's spent his entire life craving, but at a cost. His guilt is excruciating and his whole world comes crashing down around him.

(Image: Mayflower Theatre) Ryan Kopel is exceptional in the titular role, a fragile, vulnerable, sweating bundle of pent up anxiety. He brings agonising tension to the complex character, alongside a universally excellent cast. 

The stand out moment is when they are all on stage at the end of the first act belting out the truly magnificent You Will Be Found.

The set cleverly depicts the claustrophobic world of Evan Hansen, school, his bedroom, but mainly his laptop and I absolutely loved the dozens of screens used to flash people's images into the auditorium at dizzying speed. 

(Image: Mayflower Theatre) There's plenty of hype surrounding this show, which has won a host of Tony, Olivier and Grammy Awards and it's easy to see why it has been so universally loved by audiences since launching on Broadway nearly a decade ago.

The first night audience last night gave it a rapturous reception and a lengthy standing ovation. 

Dear Evan Hansen was raw, relatable and left you reflecting on it long after the curtain call.

(Image: Mayflower Theatre) If you have a ticket, today is going to be a good day.

Dear Evan Hansen runs until Saturday. Tickets from mayflower.org.uk or call 02380 711 811.