Whilst Pig might benefit from some gentle trimming toward the end of the first act, especially for the younger members of the audience, the second act sweeps in with great assurance and some of what, if this were not in the workmanlike surroundings of the ROH’s Linbury Studio, I would be tempted to call ‘catchy numbers’. There’s some neat wordplay in the libretto throughout, too, which culminates in some truly delicious couplets, all of which escape me now but which made sufficiently different sense to kids and grown-ups to provoke the odd coughing fit. (Remember, kids, a spindle’s not a plaything….) Some witty costuming helps — I loved the three princesses’ wigs — and the cast give every impression of having a great deal of fun with it.

There’s pizzazz in the staging, though personal taste would have made more use of the vertical space the studio affords, undeniable comedy throughout, and if the idea of kids puts you off, bear in mind this is still the ROH – Tarquin and Jocasta were kept well under thumb.