AS a Gilbert and Sullivan virgin, there were no expectations on my part as I walked into Winchester's Theatre Royal on a miserably wet Wednesday night to see an all-male production of The Pirates of Penzance.

But in the end I was actually a bit surprised at just how enjoyable this operetta, directed by Sasha Regan, really was.

Who knows why the theatre was only about three-quarters full, but those that did turn up were treated to a hilarious, perfectly executed show.

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The plot sees hero Frederic (played by Cameron McAllister) break free from the bondage of his apprenticeship to a bunch of pirates (led by Pirate King Tom Newland) on his 21st birthday, soon after meeting and falling in love with Mabel (Luke Garner-Green), the daughter of the moustachioed "modern major general" (David McKechnie).

The pirates don't like this, however, and find a loophole in Frederic's contract to put him back in servitude, until spurned spinster Ruth (Robert Wilkes) appears to save the day.

The whole production was great fun. There's no reason going to the theatre shouldn't always be this enjoyable, and you could see the enthusiasm in the varied demographic, which was evenly mixed between young and old.

The performers don't take themselves seriously, but that doesn't detract from their technical skill, with the whole cast rolling singing, dancing, acting and more into a blistering couple of hours.

Men dressing up as women and singing in falsetto is generally funny, but Sasha Regan's men turn it into an art form, and the audience absolutely loved it. Everyone left with smiles on their faces.

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Above all, you can go and see this play after work and know that you won't be checking your watch or falling asleep in your seat.

The Pirates of Penzance is on for three more nights at the Theatre Royal (October 10, 11 and 12).

It will also run at Wilton’s Music Hall from Tuesday October 29 to Saturday November 23, touring to Cambridge Arts Theatre (October 14-19) and Theatre Royal Bath (December 2-7).

Sasha Regan was recently awarded the Special Achievement Award at the Off West End Awards for her contribution to musical theatre.