Love's Labour's Lost does not have the most frequent appearances on the Oxford summer outdoor stage but it is one of Shakespeare's more subtle comedies and in this production by Oxford Shakespeare Company it is a treat. Performed in the simple setting of Wadham College gardens the young company brings energy and wit to this very accessible show, making light work of the sometimes intricate word play and ensuring the audience are able to follow the plot, sub-plot and plotting in the court of the King of Navarre.

The young monarch has decided to undertake three years of serious study, giving up on wine, woman and song and commanding his entourage to follow suit. A visit from the princess of France and her ladies in waiting proves too much of temptation and soon all four noble gents are composing sickly sweet ballads, writing bad love poetry and bestowing some dodgy gifts on the objects of their affection. Fortunately for their emotional well-being (and for the plot) the young women are amused rather than seduced by these clumsy attempts and string the love-struck men along. If it sounds a little too sweet for your tastes then of course this is Shakespeare and comedy is provided by a group of assorted servants, a clueless police officer, a dramatic Spaniard with a foot fetish and his lively sidekick Moth (a delightful homage to Inspector Clouseau and Kato).

All this is brought to you by a strong ensemble, as good at verse speaking as physical comedy, with pin-sharp timing. It doesn't seem fair to pick any one of them out but Alice Coles who doubles Moth and Lady Maria is one to watch in these two contrasting roles and Guido Garcia Lueches (Don Armado/Lord Dumain) excels in convincing you he is an English man mangling Shakespeare with a dreadful Spanish accent as well as rather a wet product from a minor public school.

The score by Nicholas Lloyd Webber really evokes the various pop genres to be found in the charts in the early 1970s (OSC's choice of setting). Never exactly a pastiche of Bowie, the Bee-Gees or glam rock, it does a great job of setting Shakespeare's text to music referencing the sounds of the era. And this is not meant as an insult, but at times the confident way the songs were woven into the action has strong echoes of Mamma Mia. This isn't a musical but the cast are such strong singers it was a pleasure each time a musical number came along.

If there is any criticism of this production is that it is quite safe. Given where we are now in Britain in 2016 there is room for much more exploration of how love is experienced under a full rainbow of diversity. If you like things vanilla then you will be happy enough but some hundreds and thousands and a squirt of salted caramel would add to the enjoyment. I also found the choice of how to portray Sir Nathaniel odd and a tad offensive.

If you like to be included in the action then do sit in the front row because you are given plenty of opportunity to be involved (but not made to feel an idiot).The plot is described in full in the programme for those who have never come across the play and perhaps this is aimed at Oxford's many summer visitors whose first language isn't English. There are blankets for hire (and should you need them rain ponchos to buy) but perhaps take a cushion.