Purists will be dismayed by adapter Simon Reade and director Toby Frow’s transformation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice into an irreverent comedy of manners, but anyone with a sense of fun will surely enjoy the new dramatisation of the novel from Theatre Royal Bath Productions.

The rollicking tone is set by Susan Hampshire’s scene-stealing performance as Mrs Bennet, whose ambition to marry off her five daughters – despite a distinct lack of co-operation from their remote but good-hearted father (Peter Ellis) – furnishes the main theme of the plot. With her gabbling garrulity and fainting fits, she is a barely credible character but utterly endearing in her sublime ignorance of her own stupidity.

Relishably over-the-top comic turns come, too, from Carolyn Pickles, as the impossibly snooty Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and Tom Mothersdale, as her devoted slave, the parson Mr Collins, whose unctuous bowings and scrapings, and utter indifference to others (save for Lady C.), are reminiscent of Rowan Atkinson’s Mr Bean (though the actor looks much more like Simon McBurney, whose work with Theatre de Complicite is also suggested).

Amusing touches are supplied in the staging, with Christopher Woods’ minimalist set – it must serve for some 14 locations! – augmented in clever ways. Carved chair backs are lifted into position, for instance, to supply frames around the family portraits for the first visit of Elizabeth (Katie Lightfoot) to Mr Darcy’s home, Pemberley. One actually contains the haughty magnate himself – played by the strikingly handsome and long-limbed actor Nicholas Taylor – who strides from behind it to greet her.(No emerging from the lake on this occasion!)

As is proper in a story of multiple romances, eye candy for both sexes is supplied in the fine crop of actors playing the various young lovers. These include Violet Ryder and Alex Felton, as the oldest Bennet girl Jane and admirer Mr Bingley whose courting continues, despite the disapproving interference of his stuck-up sister (Natalie Burt). One quite senses, too, how the dangerous passion might have grown that compels headstrong young Lydia (Lydia Larson) to risk family disgrace in her elopement with the caddish army officer Mr Wickham (Leo Starr).

Until Saturday. Tel: 01865 305305 (www.oxfordplayhouse.com)