Under Josie Rourke’s direction, the lead actors take the comedic elements to extremes, turning Shakespeare into slapstick.

Savage and utterly unforgiving, this is a perfectly executed drawing-room comedy that lacerates, leaving you laughing at both its malice and its despair.

Rarely does musical theatre get more urgent, authentic or potent than this.

It’s a pity that the whole of this production is somewhat disjointed and misshapen, but Jonny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch are without doubt its thumping heart.