With not much more than sheets of corrugated plastic and some subtle lighting effects, the producer, Martin Duncan, wishes us to transport ourselves from the fairy domain, through to a dense wood and finally to the ducal palace.

It is a task made easier by the contrasting and visually pleasing costumes from Ashley Martin-Davis which bring about a modern make-over to Shakespeare's story.

One of today's most exciting young countertenors, James Laing, makes a vocally highly imposing Oberon, though this unusually slinky and seductive Titania from Jeni Bern leaves you in no doubt who will be the eventual winner of their encounter.

Of course, it is their retinue of fairies that draws the big applause and it is much deserved, their singing so strong and the complex actions required taken as seasoned professionals.

From the sublime to the ridiculous, the six rude mechanicals, headed by Henry Waddington as a self-opinionated Bottom, create suitable mayhem, their final play, which in this production goes wrong, one of the most hilarious moments you will see on the opera stage.

Elizabeth Atherton, Frances Bourne, Peter Wedd and Mark Stone are vocally admirable as the four lovers, but I hope the silly voice amplification for Tom Walker's Puck is soon dropped. You could not hope for better orchestral playing, conductor, Stuart Stratford, keeping the opera buzzing along while allowing ample time to milk every last laugh.

Opera North, Leeds Grand Theatre

Further performances on May 10, 16, 22 & 24.


Two Gershwin musicals, Of Thee I Sing and Let 'em Eat Cake and Shostakovich's political satire, Paradise Moscow, feature in Opera North's 2008/09 season. Also showing are new productions of Bellini's I Capuleti e i Montecchi and Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio, with revivals of Tosca and Verdi's Don Carlos, and
a new opera from David Sawer, Skin Deep, as the Christmas special.