ADAPTED and rearranged by the late chorister, composer, teacher and musical director Bev Jones, Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates Of Penzance is the final full-scale musical production to be staged by the Bev Jones Music Company.

Originally devised by the legendary Victorian duo in 1879, Pirates is one of W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s best-known comic operas, even today, and has inspired many re-imaginings and reinterpretations in the years since.

From the minor players to the main characters, director Iain Harvey's whole cast launch themselves into their roles with gusto. Female lead Abby Wells dominates the stage with her incredible vocal range as Mabel, while  Harvey’s upbeat mix of natural charisma and guileless innocence make for an eminently likeable leading man, Frederick.

Steven Jobson and Chris Hagyard both turn out excellent performances as the Pirate King and the Major General respectively. The pair balance campy wit and wisecracks with great singing and dazzling lyrical precision, especially on the famously tongue-twisting patter songs, and  Terry Ford’s straight-faced delivery and talent for physical comedy as the Police Sergeant causes a lot of laughter, aided by his fellow clown-faced constables.

The whole production marries traditional operatic performance, under the musical direction of Adam Parrish, with the look and feel of a classic farce. At times, the deliberately over-the-top sight gags - from the flamboyant costumes to the anachronistic props - seem lifted straight out of pantomime.

The Bev Jones Music Company’s last full-scale outing is a fitting tribute to the man who inspired such devotion in so many of his friends and colleagues. It is tremendous fun for all involved.

The Bev Jones Music Company presents The Pirates Of Penzance - The Bev Jones Broadway Version, Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, until Saturday, 7.30pm nightly plus 2.30pm Saturday matinee. Box office: 01904 501935 or at josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk