New artistic director Gemma Bodinetz begins her campaign at Liverpool theatres in vastly entertaining style with this rare revival of Pedro Calderon de la Barca's tale of dishonourable toffs and honourable peasants. It is a long way from rural 17th-century Spain to 21st-century Liverpool, but one of the many pleasures of this evening is the way so many of the characters seem so familiar to us now.
This is a play full of ordinary people, and one that shows the human - and the not so human - lurking behind fine clothes. It is full of absurd would-be lovers, quick-witted opportunists, cold-hearted villains and crackpot eccentrics. It has a heart that beats vigorously, particularly in Adrian Mitchell's adaptation, which offers the play to the audience like a simple, unaffected gift.
In the remote village of Zalamea, the military have taken up residence and the blue-blooded captain is billeted at the farm of Pedro Crespo, a peasant who has made a fortune but who has never forgotten his humble origins. The Captain speaks pretty words, but has dirty thoughts about Crespo's daughter. He is determined to have his wicked way, comfortable in the knowledge that as an officer and gentleman he is beyond the reach of the civil law. Only he doesn't reckon on the determination of Crespo, who values his reputation and justice in equal measure.
A simple burnished-cross design provides a meeting place for high birth and low morals, justice and injustice, honour and dishonour. For all its high spirits, Bodinetz's production always makes you understand precisely what is at stake here. Michael Byrne has real understated power as Crespo, Richard Bremmer has fun as the flamboyant commander and Paul Bhattacharjee has the right lip-curling arrogance as the Captain. But it is a real company effort, and they are very good company indeed.
· Until March 6. Box office: 0151-709 4776.
