Frank Loesser’s musical is big, brash and boasts a brilliant score that is stylish, witty and packed with tunes, many of which have become well known classics.

Based on a short story by Damon Runyon and set in and around New York’s Times Square, the show revolves around antics of Nathan Detroit who, when not avoiding the wedding plans of long term fiancée, Miss Adelaide, is desperately trying to find a venue to hold a crap game. It also tells of the unlikely love match between inveterate gambler, Sky Masterson, and Salvation Army Officer, Sarah Brown.

Director, Gordon Greenberg brings his Broadway experience to the production which shows in the staging with many innovative touches. He also extracts the best from his cast.

The part of Masterson fits Jamie Parker comfortably and is nicely underplayed. He adds to the hard-bitten character a touching gaucheness that emerges during his wooing of Miss Sarah. His voice is well suited to the ballad numbers and he proves that he can go up tempo when he launches into Luck Be A Lady Tonight. Clare Foster, the object of his affection, moves deftly from primness to a softer, sensual demeanour. Her tipsy cavorting in the Havana nightclub and subsequent cat fight is finely executed.

There is excellent comedy from Peter Polycarpou as Nathan Detroit as he juggles avoiding matrimony with devising ways to get the readies to re-float the oldest established crap game. He is aided by sidekick Nicely-Nicely Johnson, played by Harry Morrison and looking very much like Sgt. Bilko. There is a streak of goofiness in his portrayal which brings freshness to his big number Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ The Boat.

But the highlight of the show is the performance from Sophie Thompson as Miss Adelaide. She is a knock-out as she squeezes every ounce of comedy from the part whilst retaining the pathos of her yearning for the settled life of marriage. Her vocal transitions are a hoot as her voice swoops into a lower register.

The only disappointment is Carlos Acosta’s choreography. Apart from a couple of gymnastic and acrobatic routines it lacks the sparkle and excitement of past Chichester productions.

The efforts of the cast were duly rewarded at the curtain with the audience rising to deliver a thunderous standing ovation.