The Merry Opera Company is one of the many small-scale companies that have sprung up in recent decades to challenge the traditional notion that opera belongs in a grand arena. In this gloriously sunny production, played out in the cosy intimacy of Chipping Norton’s gem of a theatre, the cast proved emphatically that chamber-sized opera can work just as well as the more lavish productions.

John Ramster’s minimalist, unfussy direction hits the spot, matched by Louis Carver’s equally simplistic but imaginative set made up of giant-sized barber’s implements. Pianist Stephen Hose provides robust accompaniment, and the absence of the overture becomes but a minor quibble as Lindoro and the band of itinerant musicians get the audience tittering right from the start. An enthusiastic young cast ensures that things bubble merrily along with some strong singing and acting throughout, all adding up to an evening of unpretentious, good-humoured frivolity.

René Bloice-Sanders is outstanding as Figaro, imbuing the character with an irrepressible spark of mischief and singing with gusto and panache. There’s an easy rapport between him and Lawrence Olsworth-Peter’s charmingly boyish Almaviva, and the pair raise plenty of laughs with their plotting against Bartolo.

Helen Évora is a delightfully vivacious Rosina, her very presence lighting up the stage, and her singing is consistently strong and pure.

There is solid support too from Amy J Payne as Berta, Daniel Roddick as Bartolo, Matthew Quirk as a particularly eccentric Basilio and the small ensemble appearing variously as musicians and soldiers.

This is a cheerful, feel-good production that is guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face.

If you missed it in Chipping Norton, there’s another chance to catch it at the Corn Exchange, Wallingford, on February 28.

Visit cornexchange.org.uk for details.