If you are after a safe pair of hands when it comes to your latest Gilbert and Sullivan opus, then Lee Power would appear to be your man.

Not only is Power an avowed fan of the master tunesmiths, he is also a dab hand at getting their musical merriment up on stage.

And Power, who this week directs Pirates of Penzance at the Epsom Playhouse, admits he cannot get enough of the Victorian wizardry.

He explains: “I am a massive fan of the pair.

“In fact, this will be the ninth production of Pirates that I have been involved in, although it will be the first I have directed.

“Although I love most theatre, Gilbert and Sullivan are undoubtedly my favourite.

“Their material is just magic, and it still holds an audience 130 years on.

“I think they have four true masterpieces - Pirates of Penzance, the Mikado, HMS Pinafore and so to get the chance to direct Pirates is a great thrill.”

Despite his obvious passion for the subject, Power is eager for his effort to not be a mere rehash.

And the director has plenty up his sleeve when it comes to ideas.

Power reveals: “I definitely wanted to approach it from a fresh angle.

“What we have done is try to inject a flamboyance and vigour of its own without being disrespectful to the English flavour of it.”

Power reckons he has totted up somewhere in the region of 90 shows over 40 years with 25 different companies.

And he admits the talent at his disposal with the Epsom Light Opera Company ranks among the best.

He concludes: “We have a good number of men in the cast and most companies would give their eye teeth for that.

“With Pirates you obviously need a large number of males so we were given a head start straight away.”

Pirates of Penzance, Epsom Playhouse, April 13-17, 7.30pm, £14, 01372 742555