The four cast members operate like a well-oiled machine through dance numbers and quickfire character changes, and the script by Evans and Lee is peppered with witty couplets and asides.

The ingenious, apple-strewn set by Josh McIntosh hides trapdoors, lights and other surprises. The tech here is blessedly old-school – no video screens in sight. There’s even a bit of puppetry, with the appearance of an adorably lifelike faun.

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There are thematic nods towards domestic violence, diversity, freedom of choice and busting stereotypes, but the greater purpose here is simply surprise and delight, with unbridled displays of greed, lust, envy and (in the case of the Sleeping Beauty) sloth. The fact that the wolf sings the old Eric Carmen clanger Hungry Eyes gives an indication as to how seriously things are to be taken.

Fairy tales reimagined are nothing new. A spate of Hollywood movies a few years ago yielded little but dreck, and Disney continues to remake its own ossified takes on Grimm, Andersen et al. But, by going back to the source material, Shake & Stir – energised as always by inventive stagecraft – have managed to spin straw into gold.