It is not clear which is worse; the apocalyptic vision of a scorched earth or the total disintegration of a widowed father’s relationship with his three variously dysfunctional daughters.

And just in case neither sound like entertaining theatre, Earthquakes in London is the most rollicking roller -coaster of a play imaginable, with more energy than a nuclear reactor and quicker sound bites than a politician on speed.

Premiered at the National Theatre in 2010, Mike Bartlett’s humdinger remains up to date, partly because it switches so fast between the 1960s and the future that there is barely time to register which horror happens next, and partly because questions of commercial morality, political expediency, personal ambition, misplaced idealism, teenage rebellion and climate change remain the same.

Perhaps the human condition always does. Steven Adams directed the Brighton Little Theatre production with ferocious pace. A large cast, acting one still larger, threw themselves into scenes which changed in minutes, segueing shot-gun fashion into each other across the stage or through the auditorium.

Tom Cunningham, excellent as Young Dad, sells out to the aerospace industry and becomes cynical, bitter Old Dad, giving brilliant Mike Skinner the chance for shouty rants with the always excellent Leigh Ward. Tess Gill demonstrates that trying to save her marriage means more than being a liberal Minister in a Coalition even if neither leave time for pregnant, suffering sister, the marvellously ditzy Mandy-Jane Jackson.

Keziah Israel is the perfect punk rebel, Charlotte Atkinson magically transforms from autistic schoolboy to independent daughter, Mimi Goddard is hilarious as Liberty ( and much else) with high octane performances from Faye Woodbridge, Josie Durand, Frankie Knight, Ann Atkins and Paul Morley.

Perhaps a tub thumped a little too long and hard but an exciting, exuberant play for today.