There can surely be no better way to start the summer play season than with the production of The London Cuckolds at the Questors Theatre in Ealing. Sumptuous, vivacious and witty, Cuckolds is a delightfully irreverent farce set in the sprawling hotbed of London in the 17th century.

This light-hearted comedy, originally by Edward Ravenscroft and recently adapted by Terry Johnson, revolves around three merchants, their bored "middle-class housewives", and two rapacious young rakes intent on seducing them and making "cuckolds" of their dim-witted husbands. Throw in two wily maidservants to drive the romantic subterfuge, a couple of twists and turns in the script, some characters in disguise, and the stage is set for a rip-roaring good time. Which is what this fine and entertaining production delivers.

Questors has been called the "mecca of amateur theatre", and for good reason. The costumes are lavish and splendid, breathing life into the 17th century and giving animation to its speech and style. Wigs and swords are used intelligently and with aplomb, and the physical comedy is particularly well-timed and delivered.

Directed by Sarah Galton, Questors' artistic director, the actors' performances are well-crafted and the action fitted excellently to the space. A few lines were lost, but not at critical moments, and the pace and intrigue of the action was excellently maintained.

The intrigue of the plot begins as, in the first scene, Wiseacres explains to his two friends Dashwell and Doodle that a "foolish wife" is the safest road to maintaining his honour as a husband, rather than a "witty" wife or a "virtuous" wife, as argued by them. This is hotly disputed throughout the play, and we see them each proved "cuckolds" in turn.

The dominant figures of the play are the women, who represent a new breed of financially secure, bored housewives, left alone at home and with too much time on their hands. Their biting wit and pursuit of the three rakish young gentlemen drive much of the play's intrigue and serve to turn their husbands' designs on their heads. Arabella, in particular, shows all the vicarious meanings that can be extracted from the answer "no". Both the wives and their maidservants are performed with spirit.

Most of the acting is top standard, and Ramble (David Palmer) and Townley (Paul Brady), the two charismatic young rakes, are a thoroughly entertaining pairing that truly brings the play to life. The energy and charisma of the unlucky Ramble complements the lazy and sordid charm of Brady's Townley. The actors really do seem to be having fun on stage.

The devious and wily antics of the maidservant Jane (Grace Craddock) is hilariously funny, as is the simpleton Peggy (Juliet Vaughan Turner), who is due to be married to Wiseacres, chief of the three merchants. Wiseacres himself is handsomely and persuasively played by Tony Bromham, and Arabella, the lead female role, is intelligently performed by Nikki Squire, adding spark and spirit to the dialogue.

The strong performances are off-set by the exquisite set design and scenic art by Bron Blake and Jenny Richardson. Simple yet effective lighting and well-chosen sound effects do much to enhance the atmosphere and energy of the piece.

An excellent evening of wit, rivalry and slapstick, replete with the lavishness of period drama and mixed with the light-hearted irreverence of Terry Johnson's adaptation, The London Cuckolds is a local London experience not to be missed.

  • Showing at Questors Theatre in Ealing until Saturday June 16. The London Cuckolds will also be going to the Minak Theatre in Cornwall from 17 21 July.