ALTHOUGH 'She Stoops To Conquer' was wrtten in 1773, Oliver Goldsmith's themes are as relevant now as ever.

The Irish writer cleverly satirised the class structure. His sharp wit and acute observations on society are indeed timeless.

This 18th century 'rom-com', which was staged at the Liverpool Playhouse, is as popular with audiences today as it was in Goldsmith's divided England.

The award-winning Northern Broadside's company played to packed houses on this Merseyside leg of a well-received national tour.

Sub-titled Mistakes Of A Night, the madcap action takes place in one evening.

The full period costumes and make-up providing a hair-raising delight featuring very big wigs to match the personalities.

The versatile cast portray a variety of characters from the landed gentry, to earthy pub regulars and some very funny servants.

Not exactly Downton Abbey, more Fawlty Towers.

They all individually and collecrively contribute to an evening of fast-paced farcical humour.

This is the story of mistaken identities and human errors.

Foppish Charles Marlowe Jnr is our leading man who gets tongue-tied talking to aristocratic ladies. Yet he is full of ale room bravado when it comes to barmaids.

Marlowe senior wants him to marry a wealthy land owner's daughter.

And this is the basis of the comedy of the main story and its equally fun sub-plot.

Oliver Gomm as Charles enjoys the split level elements of his character.

One moment a rakish Rik Mayall-styled Blackadder perforamnce the next a fumbling Mr Bean.

His prospective mother-in-law Mrs Hardwick (Gilly Tompkins) is played with some lovely, headstrong over-the-top mannerisms reminiscent of Prunella Scales and her awful Sybil Fawlty.

Full credit to Gilly for sporting a wig that resembled a huge tom cat.

And of course there is one of Goldsmith's finest comic foils the egotistical Tony Lumpkin, who likes a tipple and plenty of double dealing.

He is played with a large degree of camp by an energetic Jon Trenchard.

Resident director Conrad Nelson has assembled a fine ensemble including the talented actors doubling up as musicians performing some atmospheric, whimsical music.

The superb set also doubles up as a mansion and a pub.

Northern Broadsides are a popular company who always put the accent on accessibility.

Let's hope this fresh brand of theatre returns in 2015.

8/10 Stoop-endous