The festival, the biggest of its kind in England, and received a message of support from Tony Blair. Peter Mulloy's production has a swagger, a zest and a technical bravura which revitalises this much-loved operetta.

The company is fortunate to have the services of three former D'Oyly Carte principals - Gareth Jones (Pirate King), Jill Pert (Ruth), and Michael Rayner (Sergeant of Police). All are as compulsively attention-grabbing as ever, full of fine singing and acting.

Eric Roberts clowns delighfully as the Major-General, a master of the patter song. (The great John Reed, the D'Oyly Carte's former principal comedian, was in the audience and must have been mightily impressed by the magnificent man in his old role).

But it was Penelope Mathisen, a lively and coquettish Mabel, who the audience love most. She took her role beautifully. Richard Roberts (Frederic), Stephen Davis (Samuel), Lesley Cox (Kate), Rebecca Knight (Edith) and Janet Cowley (Isabel) all rose to the occasion, too.

Costumes are dazlingly colourful while the chorus of pirates and policemen are well-drilled and the young ladies sing with gaiety. David Steadman's orchestra fizzes in the pit to complement a spectacular show.