Michael Lofthouse has delivered a hugely enjoyable and inventive production for this year's Gilbert and Sullivan.

The superbly designed and mounted set was filled with a cast of nearly 40 having the time of their lives, led by a clutch of outstanding principals.

Roly Robertshaw and Janine McAndrew were a consummate ducal couple and the younger pairs Leon Waksberg and Victoria Mulley, Paul Cross and Gill Dobson much impressed as singers and actors respectively.

The emerging royal couple Josh Breeze and Elizabeth Hopker, less experienced perhaps, captured our hearts too.

And Bill Bairstow relished the role of the overbearing Grand Inquisitor.

The musical highlight coming at the beginning of Act Two reminded us of Sullivan at his best, a riot of colour and movement on stage and excitement in the orchestra under Pamela Dimbleby.

The show is a triumph and on no account to be missed.

* Until Saturday 7.30pm, also Saturday 2.15pm. Tickets from Haworth Tourist Information Centre.

John Pettitt