Five-star Pinafore performance is the Monarch of the summer season

Illyria brings Gilbert and Sullivan's famous seafaring romance to vital life at Lytham Hall

- by Post Reporter

First-class singing must always be at the heart of any form of Gilbert and Sullivan production.

Under Lytham's blue skies, a capacity audience of 500 gloried in wonderful skills across the vocal range from all six members of the Illyria cast.

Lytham Community Choir and the Red Arrows had already provided a splendid overture.

HMS Pinafore is comic opera par excellence, and director Kim Healey melds together both the physical and vocal aspects of comedy and the operatic style of some of the songs with a deft touch.