SEVEN Brides For Seven Brothers returns to York Theatre Royal for the first time since the Theatre Royal's own 1984 production, the one that was picked up by the West End and then travelled overseas, in the manner replicated by The Railway Children.

The link with the first show is Martyn Knight, who played Ephraim in the original cast, both in York and abroad, and now directs and choreographs York Light's first run in the newly refurbished main house with invaluable insight into what makes the MGM musical tick.

The company had to put back the show from spring to summer while the refurb over-ran initial predictions, but Knight's cast burst on to the stage in their enthusiasm to get cracking again in the reconfigured design that has the effect of bringing cast and audience closer together without loss of the grand spectacle.

UK Productions provide the high-quality set design for 1850s' Oregon, where York Matthew Ainsworth's handsome, blunt, headstrong backwoodsman, Adam Pontipee, heads to town to find himself a wife and returns with no-nonsense, better-than-Bake Off cook Milly (Emma Dickinson).

Trouble is, he fails to mention he has six unkempt and unruly brothers crammed into one farmhouse, each equally in need of a shave, fresh underwear and lessons in good manners if they are to court a bride.

York Press:

York Light on their feet in Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. Picture: Dan Cashdan

Ainsworth starts the show on the front foot, where he remains after a delightfully breezy Bless Your Beautiful Hide, and Dickinson's spirited Milly is in even better voice throughout, while the chemistry between these equally strong-willed protagonists has all the sparks flying.

The key to Seven Brides is its boisterous comedy, its sense of fun in an undeniably absurd story involving kidnapping that might otherwise be seen as red-neck hokum. Knight has cast really well for maximum compact impact, not only for the brothers and putative brides but also by making good use of York Light's youth theatre enterprise to fill the ranks for the six suitors from the town, all a little square but feisty for a fight as they stand in the path of the brothers.

Among those brothers, Scott Goncalves is particularly impressive as the youngest, Gideon, once again affirming a rapidly blossoming talent that has seen him secure a place at the Guildford School of Acting from September. Playing opposite him, Ria Williams's Alice stands out as much as her yellow dress.

Knight's ensemble choreography is full of zest and exuberance; scenes move briskly, matched by the combative comedy, and the music of Gene De Paul, bolstered by new songs by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschorn since the 1984 show, is shown off with drama, romance and panache by musical director Phil Redding's orchestral forces.

Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, York Light, York Theatre Royal, until July 9. Box office: 01904 623568 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk