GILBERT and Sullivan’s final collaboration marked a downbeat end to their partnership.

Here, savagely cut to great effect by David Tatnall, typecast in another madcap performance as Ernest Dummkopf, leader of his own theatrical company, the result was hugely entertaining.

The obvious enjoyment of the players was infectious, as the large audience would testify.

The show-within-a-show, the mock-Shakespearean Kiss Me Cressida, gave scope for some great comedic performances, with Adrian Hickford’s Grand Duke (in the style of Prince Charles) supported by an alcoholic Baroness (Anne Croudass).

Mark Ponsford steals almost every scene, wringing every drop of humour as Ludwig, Lisa Axworthy is lively as diva Julia and David Putley (Herald) and Matt Sturgeon (Prince of Monte Carlo) were both very funny in their later scenes.

The whole cast performed well. With just Martin Paterson’s keyboard accompaniment, minimal lighting and stagedressing, the focus was firmly on the fun. A grand night out!

ALAN JOHNS