Iolanthe’s rousing music and political satire are captured by an exuberant cast from Eastbourne Gilbert And Sullivan Society.

This lesser known operetta is a love story with a difference, complicated by one of the lovers, Strephon, being half fairy, half mortal, and the other, Phyllis, being a ward of the Lord Chancellor. It causes havoc in the House Of Lords to add to its corruption, lies and deceit.

The charismatic Paul Eccles is superb as the scheming Lord Chancellor and delivers a great rendition of tongue-twister Nightmare Song. Most of the comical moments are provided by the fairies and the gentlemen of the chorus, portraying dim-witted hereditary peers who are enamoured by Phyllis, as is the Chancellor.

Strephon’s mother, the fairy Iolanthe whose death sentence for marrying a mortal is reduced to banishment, is well played by Lucy Sarsfield.

Stan Fillery (Strephon) and Sarah Townson (Phyllis) make good contributions, but they are sometimes overpowered by an excellent orchestra, led by Lisa Wigmore.

Moira Raines has no such problems and is a majestic Fairy Queen.

Good sets take the audience from fairyland to the House of Lords with ease, helping director Christopher Peck and musical director Pat White capture the right atmosphere.

Three stars