GRACIOUS! I’ve never quite seen a Mikado like this before.

I’m sure if I had then G&S would have a much wider following.

The cast were ebullient from the off, treating the audience to some superbly crafted comedy that brought the script to life.

It was pacy and fun, with the best “list” I have ever heard, literally (in-joke).

While the director, James George, claims it is a “reasonably traditional” Mikado, he has ingeniously shown the other side of some key characters, with a sensitively portrayed Katisha (Janet Hillman), a Mr Magoo-esk Mikado (Paul Comparini) and a bitchy Peep-Bo (Gemma Valler).

The men were luminaries and the combination of a camp Pooh- Bah (James George), supercilious Ko-Ko (Darren Gilmore) and traditional Nanki- Poo (Matthew Cooper) was an undiluted recipe for laughter. Not forgetting the conceited Yum- Yum (Lara Hardwick) and hapless Petti-Sing (Karen Fisher).

The black box set, single keyboard and atmospheric lighting left nothing to hide behind, but hey, if you’ve got it, flaunt it.

REBECCA CASE