TRUE LOVE IS FAR FROM PLAIN SAILING

HMS PINAFORE ★★★★★ LONDON COLISEUM UNTIL FEBRUARY 7, londoncoliseum.org

- With STEFAN KYRIAZIS

Is there anything more British than Gilbert and Sullivan? Well, yes, actually. Before the toe-tapping overture even starts, Great British Bake Off legend Mel Giedroyc reveals she’s the proud beneficiary of the Arts Reciprocation Scheme, England (go on, spell out the acronym).

An English National Opera member has been packed off to do telly with Michael Portillo, while Mel's been thrown on with scant rehearsal as a newly invented cabin boy and chaotically prat-falling member of the female chorus.