Following its successful Die Fledermaus last month, Opera della Luna was back at the Cornerstone last weekend with its streamlined version of HMS Pinafore – still as fresh as a sea breeze more than 20 years after its original conception. As with all OdL productions, this is a specially adapted version for a cast of eight and a band of five, and is so full of spirit and pizzazz that it is every bit as satisfyingly entertaining as a full-scale production.

Artistic director Jeff Clarke has chosen to set the piece in Dickensian England, as Gilbert’s satirising of the Victorian obsession with social class so clearly echoed the sentiments expressed by Dickens in his Sketches by Boz. The result is a show that brings class prejudice sharply into focus, but never at the expense of its inherent fun and wit. Purists may not approve of the liberties Clarke takes with the text, but the sheer audaciousness of this production is part of its charm.

OdL regulars Simon Butteriss, Philip Cox, Ian Belsey, Martin George and Carolyn Allen are back in their customary roles of Sir Joseph, Deadeye, Corcoran, Boatswain and Hebe respectively, all turning in strong performances. Butteriss’s Sir Joseph, who has yet to find his sea legs and has a roving eye for the men, is a masterpiece of comic characterisation, while Belsey raises some hearty chuckles as an exaggeratedly snobbish Captain. Cox is wonderfully larger-than-life as the misfit Deadeye, later successfully doubling as Sir Joseph’s mischievously eccentric aunt.

Newcomer Deborah Crowe is delightful as Josephine, showing both spirit and passion, and singing in a gloriously rich soprano voice that is sheer joy to listen to. Another newcomer, Trevor Jary, is convincing as the lovelorn Rackstraw, but occasionally seems to be struggling vocally. No such problems for Susan Moore, though, who sings Little Buttercup with full operatic clout.

For sheer inventiveness, humour and cast rapport, this production is hard to beat. Brilliant.