For a musical that revels in being politically incorrect, it’s ironic that Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is set in Oregon, a state that in recent years has been downright liberal in regard to sexuality, recreational drugs and environmental activism.

This is a tale filtered firstly through the prism of Hollywood, then Broadway, being a hit 1954 film before being revived in 1982 for the stage. In 1850 Oregon, Milly (Susan McFadden, sister of the Westlife band member Brian McFadden) meets and almost immediately marries Adam (Steven Houghton); alas, his rough-hewn home is also occupied by his six brothers.

She is expected to cook and clean like a skivvy; being a 'spunky girl', she objects in no uncertain terms. Milly reforms Adam's uncouth siblings, giving them a makeover and teaching them how to woo a lass. Having met six girls that they fancy, the brothers hanker after marriage, but the ladies all have jealous suitors. When Adam picks up a book by Plutarch (as Oregon farmers are wont to do), he's inspired to launch a kidnap plot to resolve this minor difficulty.

Despite the film score scooping an Oscar, few of the numbers lodge in the memory like those crafted by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, or Rodgers and Hammerstein. Nonetheless, Tuesday’s opening night was a success — the two leads were confident and Houghton was a more appropriate choice than Dave Willetts, who played Adam when Seven Brides was staged at the New Theatre three years ago (there was nothing wrong with Willetts's performance, but being somewhat more mature in years wasn't an advantage). Their delivery was consistently clear, even if, early on, Houghton didn’t always reach the lower notes successfully; the duet Love Never Goes Away (Reprise) in the second act was a delight.

While a grumpy reviewer might complain that the brothers’ collective choreography in ditties such as Going’ Courtin’ wasn't as slick as their solo efforts, they earned enthusiastic applause; there was less to carp on about when they sang in harmony — Lonesome Polecat was particularly noteworthy.

All went smoothly, though Houghton was lucky that when he kicked a cup across the stage in the first half it didn’t strike anyone in the orchestra pit. The only wobbly performance was that of a tree that shimmied in the late second half as the cast swept past.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers continues until tomorrow.