Superlatives mark out this RNT mobile production as unmissable. It is crammed with aural and visual humour, deftly presented with great inventiveness, subtlety and style. Capacity audiences at the Gardner Arts Centre endorsed that Aristophanes' insight into human nature remains apposite and hugely enjoyable. It is layered, pertinent - great comedy, devoid of patronising gimmickry to sugar the classical pill.

Fiona Laird, director/composer/music director, and her top-quality ensemble, capture the script's essence with admirable flair. It is of our time and timeless. Richard Henders' Dionysus is truly God of Theatre, flamboyant and glittering down to his cod-piece. He is the King but, like most icons, flawed and devious. Nicholas Tigg (Xanthias/Euripides) becomes a spunky slave, a perfect foil and match in the hierarchy, like all worthy artisans. There is a superbly observed, witty mime sequence between him and Clive Hayward (Pluto's slave/ Aeschylus et al. This mundane tea-break is mirrored in their ultimate confrontation – two great writers in Hades. Lucy Dixon and Flo Wilson (Initiates/landladies) lead the a cappella chorus as the cast in fine voice swings through accessible musical genres with consummate talent. Like good friends, the women advise us  while flicking feather dusters up the classical porticoes of Mark Leese's cleverly uncomplicated set design. Judi Dench supplies Pluto's voice in this scintillating production.