THIS VIBRANT production makes the best of one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s lesser works, with the leading lights creating an enveloping atmosphere of love and intrigue.

Very French, or certainly what would pass for the norm in the Hollande household, it charts the arc of a love triangle between Alex Dillingham, a boy soldier, Rose Vibert, a starlet, and George, Alex’s uncle with a roving glint in the eye.

The chequered fortunes of Aspects is dominated by Love Changes Everything, which towers musically over everything else here, a soaring song set to a sad melody; one of ALW’s finest. Matthew Ainsworth, ageless as Alex, opens the show, his powerful, boyish voice setting the tone for the fine singing to follow. Most of the other songs are forgettable, although The First Man You Remember and the refrain "Life goes on, love goes free" steer well clear of mawkishness.

The flaws in the production stem from the underlying weakness of the story rather than any fault on the company’s part; being one paced and lacking in emotional depth. “I kept waiting for the raunchy bit” said one elderly lady at the end, “and it never came”.

Tastefully played and not progressing beyond first base, Aspects toys with same sex relationships and under-age affairs but there were convincing sparks between Toni Feetenby’s Rose and Alex; youthful and a joy to watch.

If Alex is a consistently assured leading man, then Feetenby is the more interesting; a fascinating mix of brittleness and strength, beguiling and full of promise; never the cheap actress. Certainly too much for Hugo, her lover (Finlay Mooney). Mark Hall as Marcel, Rose’s actor-manager, is strong if under-used.

Paul Laidlow’s direction moves the story on with flair, concentrating on the principals, focusing on character rather than makeup. A sparse set is lit up by a "pixel wall"; lurid and mostly unnecessary, welcome by its absence for much of the second act.

The ensemble gives good support, but the set pieces lack fluidity. Richard Bainbridge as the lothario uncle George receives the largest ovation, but is in reality eclipsed by Alex and Rose; capable of greater depth. While Rose cannot not match Alex in the upper registers, Jessa Liversedge, as Giulietta Trapani the mistress, is a scene stealer; blessed with a full, voluptuous voice, with There Is More To Love a highlight of the second act.

As the musical charts more uncertain terrain with the introduction of Jenny, Rose’s daughter, enter stage right the Leaper sisters, Eleanor and Natalia who play the younger incarnation. Natural and gifted, both light up the stage and match the older singers note for note. Voices that will burn bright for a long time to come.

In the orchestra pit, the 12-strong musicians give an assured performance, occasionally straining for volume but always displaying a subtlety that enables the performers to take flight - a welcome burst of Spring in the face of love’s caprices.

Aspects Of Love, York Musical Theatre, Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, until Saturday. Box office: 01904 623568 or yorktheatreroyal.co.uk