Northern Broadsides are acclaimed for injecting their unique sense of wit and energy into classical texts, and they continue this trend with Oliver Goldsmith’s well-known play She Stoops to Conquer. Currently on tour, it stopped off at the York Theatre Royal this week.

She Stoops to Conquer is still studied in English Literature curriculua today, and is one of the most famous comedies from its time. It follows the story of a young gentleman named Marlow (Oliver Gomm) in his quest for companionship and wealth. Women swoon for him, but the problem is he can’t speak to women of the same class, and literally freezes with terror at the very thought of having a conversation with one. However, he doesn’t have this problem with women from the class below him, and turns into a lecherously confident man when interacting with them. We follow his efforts to the home of a wealthy countryman Mr Hardcastle (Howard Chadwick), which he is tricked into believing is an inn. Here he meets his host’s beautiful daughter Miss Hardcastle (Hannah Edwards); as usual, he quivers with fear the moment she opens her mouth, and crumples like a Coke can. She knows of his weakness, however, and decides that the best course of action is to make him think she’s from a lower class, and changes her accent and posture – and literally stoops to conquer his attitudes. Throw in a sub-plot between Marlow’s friend and the wacky Hardcastle family and you’ve got a recipe for an epic show.

There’s no mistaking that this is a Northern Broadsides production; there’s some hilarious, well-developed characters that evoke tons of laughter from the audience. Each character’s physicality is big and booming, and this creates an awesome amount of energy that fuels the production and makes everything engaging. There’s also live music from many of the actors too, creating a brilliant atmosphere that has everyone clapping and cheering after many of the songs. This adds to the warm, cosy mood that makes you feel nice and comfortable to sit back and laugh your way through the show.

The set is also nicely designed – it isn’t too cluttered or detailed, and gets the balance just right, giving enough substance to the world of the play that fuels your enjoyment of the narrative even more. The actors manipulate it with ease, and make you feel welcome in the madcap Hardcastle house, where much of the play’s antics unfold.

She Stoops to Conquer is just one of Northern Broadsides’ many productions that makes you laugh your socks off and appreciate the work that they’ve put into it. It’s witty, big and boisterous, and is well worth seeing.

She Stoops to Conquer is playing at the York Theatre Royal until 29 November. For more information and tickets, see the York Theatre Royal website.