FROM its earliest days, York Opera has always given a prominent place in its repertory to the Savoy Operas. Quite right, too. They are one of Britain's few really distinctive contributions to European music and - let's face it, in these Eurosceptic times - foreigners do not really understand them. Not the way York Opera does, anyway.

Pauline Chadwick's production is traditional Japanese, but quite unstilted in its staging, which gleams with clean lines and fresh humour. Liz Watson's equally fluent choreography makes smooth use of fans, while Maggie Soper's costumes complement the Oriental detail in the side-panels of John Soper's set. Such details supply invaluable atmosphere.

The musical strengths of the evening are built from the bottom up, in the pit, where Alasdair Jamieson's 26-piece band recovers from a nervy overture to provide instinctively supple, and sometimes very delicate, backing for the singers. The chorus is also extremely disciplined, blending well and, above all, keeping its movements to a minimum. Crucially, this allows the soloists the spotlight they deserve.

John Soper's Ko-Ko holds this show in the palm of his hand, using a strong local accent to shrewd effect. Though he dallies on the boundaries of excess, the only time he really goes over the top is when trying to persuade Katisha of his undying passion. But he pulls it off through the sheer hilarity of his writhings.

His "little list" neatly covers Hogwarts, York's current parking problems (to audience cheers), transatlantic politicians and Prince Charles.

The other stand-out is Cathy Atkin's Yum-Yum, whose voice and and charm are equally engaging. Her projection is exemplary and The Sun Whose Rays deservedly earned special applause. She is strongly backed by Mandy Shackleton's Pitti-Sing and Kylie Bradburn's Peep-Bo, though Three Little Maids just failed to find a crisp edge.

Ashley Wilson's lyrical tenor makes him a nicely unfussy, thoroughly pleasing Nanki-Poo, even if his "shreds and patches" are rather more Ascot than Headingley. Clive Goodhead turns in his customary strong performance as Pish-Tush, while Ian Small gives us a splendidly haughty Pooh-Bah. Steve Griffiths works Pop Idol into A More Humane Mikado and clearly has the measure of his people.

Maggie Soper's first appearance as Katisha could have been more menacing, but she is altogether more convincing after the interval.

Spoken dialogue was a little hit-and-miss last night, but in every other respect this is a team show that breathes new life into a golden tradition.

Updated: 09:46 Wednesday, June 16, 2004