THE fact that Princess Ida is one of Gilbert and Sullivan's lesser-known works is testament to the New Rosemere's achievement in making every number sound familiar.

The 2004 Bolton Evening News Best Musical winners pull off this story of the battle between man and woman - the inevitable conclusion being that we can not live with/can not live without each other - with some style, plenty of bombast and a wicked sense of humour.

The stage and costumes are fittingly elaborate, the music is strong and gutsy and the whole production is performed with some panache and, importantly, the serious side of the story is countered with a sly nod of recognition of the absurdity of the situation the two sexes find themselves in during the Austro-Hungarian empire of the 1880s.

The chorus and the orchestra are fantastic, Lisa Murphy shines as Princess Ida and Fran Davies as Lady Blanche is also very strong.

On the male side, Clive Green is brilliant as the comically camp Cyril, as is Bernard Killeen as curmudgeonly King Gama.

Not sure it matters whether the men, women, either or neither win in the end.

Make your own mind up - Princess Ida runs until Saturday.