The Theatre Royal reopened last week, on time and within budget (approximately £3.65million) after a two month closure for renovations.

These include a complete remodelling of the entrance and foyer, a new bar in the vaults, named after the late president of the theatre trust, Jeremy Fry, redecoration throughout, cleaning each of the 13,550 crystals on the famous chandelier above the auditorium, and updating seven miles of electrical cables throughout the building.

The opening production is Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s The Rivals, appropriately set in Bath in 1775, just a few years after the original Theatre Royal opened in Orchard Street in 1768.

Sir Peter Hall’s production pairs Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles as the inimitable Mrs Malaprop and Sir Anthony Absolute.

They also cut a red ribbon to formally reopen the theatre.

Mrs Malaprop is the character whose name has slipped into the English language to explain the use of perfectly pronounced but misplaced words.

My favourite is her description of Sir Anthony’s son Jack (Tam Williams) as “the very pineapple of politeness.”

Robyn Addison made a telling professional debut as Lydia Languish, the object of Jack’s affections, and under the guardianship of Mrs Malaprop.

The two stars, not surprisingly for actors who worked together in several series of the successful TV comedy To the Manor Born, had the perfect chemistry and timing to make the most of Sheridan’s wit.

Tam Williams and Bowles interacted very plausibly as father and son. Another outstanding character was Carlyss Peer as Lucy the maid, who acts as go-between for several pairs of lovers.

There is a superb set embracing a Georgian crescent, yet becoming individual rooms with economical changes of furniture. It runs until Saturday. It’s a gem.