Billy Wilder, the American film director, was fond of saying, "If you're going to tell people the truth, be funny or else they'll kill you." And so it goes with Gilbert & Sullivan's HMS Pinafore, a two-hour romp on the high seas featuring love, deceit, and redemption.

On one level, it's a light-hearted, fast-paced comedy. The Captain's daughter, betrothed to the First Lord of the Admiralty, secretly loves a common seaman. In Act I, they plan to elope; in Act II, they are caught and must overcome obstacles in their bid to be reunited. Hardly a great plot, but that's not why you should see it.

Instead, you should see HMS Pinafore to understand how G&S exploit laughter - they use it to wedge open our consciousness so that they can assert an array of serious messages. The ship mirrors society and its anachronistic class divisions. Love cuts across all ages and social stations. Each character represents a facet of the "Englishman" whom they exalt at the operetta's end. These messages, as stated bluntly, are trite and unremarkable - and likely out of favour with the Victorian audience for whom the operetta was written. When adorned with song and dance, however, the messages become invigorating and effective - who can argue when they're laughing?

This student performance captures these intentions splendidly. We're introduced to the ship's crew, led by a spirited Bosun (Gareth Jones) and the sinister Dick Deadeye (John Pollard), followed by the entrance of the leads - the Captain (Matthew Cook), the Admiral (Matthew Rogers), and the Captain's daughter (Kathy Rice-Oxley). The acting is particularly strong, and includes some delightful exchanges and well-choreographed pieces, especially "Never Mind the Why and Wherefore" among the trio of leads early in the second act. The overall result is taut and spirited, yet it is also gently self-depreciating and never takes itself too seriously. Post-modernists should appreciate it.

My only wish was for a larger audience - just 20 of us on opening night. Few things are more disconcerting than acting in a near-empty hall, and this cast and crew deserve better for their considerable efforts. So, if you've been thinking about supporting a local student production, have always wanted to see a G&S performance, or simply want to be entertained, you've got your chance now.

Robin Rix - 8/2/00