Craig Revel Horwood’s Kabuki-style Hot Mikado, first produced for Newbury’s Watermill Theatre in 2006, is back – and it certainly is hot. In fact, this Mikado is so hot it positively sizzles, with Gilbert and Sullivan’s 1885 hit injected with an irresistible mix of jazz, swing, Motown and gospel, executed by a multi-talented cast with such energy that just watching them is exhausting. This Titipu is a modern, funky town, described by Revel Horwood in the programme as “urban prince meets Tokyo street fashion with an influence of Manga”. Purists may shudder, but the beauty is that Gilbert’s plot and satire still shine strongly through – and it’s all done with great humour. This is not a mauling of G&S, but an affectionate send-up.

One of the strengths of this production is its slick and inventive choreography, performed throughout with style and panache – just what you’d expect from a show choreographed and directed by Strictly Come Dancing’s most fastidious judge. Revel Horwood has his 14-strong cast dancing and playing instruments simultaneously, and they cope wonderfully – in between some uniformly excellent singing. If these performers were on Strictly, you feel sure that even Revel Horwood would be reaching for a 10.

With such an impressive cast it almost seems unfair to single any out for special mention, but Abiona Omonua’s sexy, sassy Yum-Yum is particularly memorable, and she is well-matched by Dominic Tighe’s bare-chested Nanki-Poo (pictured), who is not so much wandering minstrel as Samurai warrior. Jeffrey Harmer’s fun-filled Ko-Ko updates the ‘Little List’ song to have a dig at the MPs’ expenses scandal, while Julian Littman and Kit Orton form a great comedy pair as a guitar-strumming Pooh-Bah and a Welsh-accented, violin-playing Pish-Tush.

Do catch this exhilarating show if you can – I promise you will be laughing and tapping your feet all the way through.

Hot Mikado continues until Saturday. Box office: 01865 305305.