With its heart-searching tune, the Mditation from Massenet's opera Thas was always a firm favourite at Reginald Dixon's Sunday afternoon organ recitals at the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool. Little did I know at the time how appropriate the piece was for a Sunday, for in the three minutes or so it takes to play, Thas is converted from a life of sin to the ways of God officially described as a 'courtesan', in Grange Park's modern-dress production leather-clad Thas seems to have established herself as a highly successful porn movie actress, or rock star. "I return to you in mourning and sorrow," laments monk Athanal on coming home to his monastery. He has encountered Thas in Alexandria, and while he resists her blandishments, she nonetheless features in his lascivious dreams. He wakes up determined to save Thas from her degrading life.

It would be easy to present Anatole France's storyline and Massenet's music as a tasty comic potboiler. But director/designer David Fielding and Oxford-based conductor Martin Andr concentrate to considerable effect on the serious-minded moral and erotic clashes that show up in both the words and the music the chirpy woodwind scoring beneath some of Athanal's diatribes, and the sensuously played violin solo (Andrew Court) in the Mditation, for instance.

At first Fielding's light, bright set designs which come complete with lots of inventive and imaginative video graphics seem a bit too clean and clinical. But they do emphasise the fact that Thas has already moved considerably upmarket from her slum background by the time we meet her. Likewise, Anne-Sophie Duprels presents a Thas who radiates cool, teasing confidence right from the start. It is only when disillusionment with her empty life sets in that a much more insecure character emerges. All this is strongly depicted in a superb performance. Ashley Holland's determined Athanal could display more sexual electricity, but is also commandingly sung. There is strong support from Vuyani Mlinde as fellow monk Palemon, and from Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts as slob-like Nicias, current hirer of Thas's services, in an altogether most satisfying production.

There are further performances of Thas on June 10, 16, 24, 27 and 30. Box office: 01962 868888.