IT may be big-name TV stars who sell productions like this, but it's often actors who are not household names who grab the attention once the audience are in their seats.

So it is with this exquisite rendition of Sheridan's Georgian comedy of manners, nominally starring TV veterans George Baker as Sir Anthony Absolute and Stephanie Cole as Mrs Malaprop.

Notwithstanding Miss Cole's superbly understated use of the Malapropisms, it is the younger players who steal the honours, most notably Nicholas Boulton as Jack Absolute. His superb delivery and crystal clear diction get to the essence of this type of wordy, witty comedy and his portrayal of the handsome, love-lorn lover with a double identity was instantly engaging and played to perfection.

Praise, too, for Jamie de Courcey as the prevaricating Faulkland, and Kirsty Besterman as his elegant love Julia, both of whom delivered dialogue at the necessary machine-gun rate with perfect clarity. And, in the finest traditions of theatre throughout all the ages, we had Matthew Cullum as Fag, the quick-talking, deceitful yet lovable rogue of a servant, another delightful performance which helped to sustain the energy which is so vital an ingredient of a comic romp.

Sheridan, it is said, hated the theatre, yet he has left us a legacy which includes this immortal comic masterpiece, so one hopes he does not turn in his grave as the audience fall about. The play runs until Saturday. Box office: 01684 892277.

Review by STEVE EVANS