IT is both rare and refreshing to find a production that gets everything right at the same time. How pleasing to report that this staging of George Bernard Shaw's rarely-performed comedy achieves that feat in this Oxford Stage Company revival.

Director Christopher Luscombe's production is short - a mere two hours with interval - and sweet, something of a shock in itself as modern audiences tend to associate Shaw with wordy, static plays.

The story is simple enough: the Reverend James Morrell faces a stiff test when young poet Marchbanks announces that he's madly in love with his wife Candida. How this trio work out a solution to this situation entails such issues as politics, religion and a woman's place in society. This makes it sound heavier than it is because the romantic conflict produces some exceedingly funny lines and situations.

The production isn't afraid of using silences or playing for laughs, confident that the drama and the messages will find their way through the audience's laughter.

The casting is impeccable. Serena Evans stamps her mark on the proceedings as sensible Candida, dealing with her pair of admirers with assurance. Andrew Havill's humble man of the cloth contrasts neatly with Richard Glaves' impetuous, gushing 19-year-old poet. Not only the leading roles are played with style. Barry Stanton (a hoot as Candida's father), Hattie Ladbury as prim Prossie and Jake Harders as an eager curate lend valuable support.

* Until Saturday. Tickets (01904) 623568

Published: 29/07/2004