Illyria’s entertaining production was a perfect show for Brighton’s new open-air theatre, and the cheerful local community spread out picnics, enjoyed ice creams in the sunshine and donned fleeces once the sun went down.

The talented cast performed multiple roles, with the men augmenting the giggling, twirling falsetto fairies in peach frocks and flower crowns, and the women donning fluffy moustaches and tweed plus-fours as peers of the realm.

Director Oliver Gray brought out the humour in this show about the romantic misadventures of a half-fairy politician with human legs, and included joking modern touches such as references to Fifty Shades Of Grey.

From the nightmare patter song of the susceptible Chancellor (Edward Simpson) to the sweetly maternal Iolanthe (Rachel Lea-Gray) and dignified Queen of the Fairies (Sarah Annakin) the performers had fun with their roles.

Christopher Barlow’s reversible set provided a colourful backdrop, and the lighting was simple but effective.

Musical director Ben Wiles accompanied the singers on keyboards from within a weatherproof tent to the side of the stage: the background noise of traffic, sirens and dogs in the park meant that the actors’ voices did not always carry clearly, but overall this pacy production was a delight.

Four stars