Written before his popular operas, Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio is not often performed today. Technically a singspiel, the work has spoken dialogue between the arias; the bad guy, the Pasha Selim, doesn't sing at all. The singing involves embellishment rather than action, and the drama is slow. Even in a good production, like this one by the British Youth Opera, the work can get stuck.

Jamie Hayes's imaginative, witty staging was matched in spirit by Amanda Holden's flowing translation. The Turkish setting was a good excuse for a colourful chorus, with the four protagonists characterised as English innocents abroad.

There were many genuine laughs, interspersed with a few unintentional giggles. Most of the dreadful lines belong to the Pasha, unfortunately for James Staddon, but he sneered through them admirably.

Marie Birve rose to the arduous role of Constanze, whose florid arias are a cruel test of stamina as well as technique. She was supported by some expressive playing from the pit, conducted by Timothy Dean. Birve can't make the role sound easy, but she makes it musical. Her Belmonte, Fredrik Strid, has the tone of a heroic tenor, but couldn't match the agility of Justin Miles Olden's Pedrillo. Gabriella Santinelli's comic turn as the maid Blonde was a big hit with the audience; she has a nicely focused soprano, too. This wasn't an easy work for a young company, but there were no half measures on stage.