The Mayor of Zalamea, Everyman Theatre, Liverpool

As the director Gemma Bodinetz admits of her first production as artistic director of the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, The Mayor of Zalamea may seem a less than obvious choice. But it is one of Pedro Calderon de la Barca's best-known plays, and, under Bodinetz's astute direction, in Adrian Mitchell's brilliant adaptation, and with some engaging and characterful performances, its fascinating clashes in class, code and creed come across with freshness and directness. And it raises a lot of laughs, though fewer in the substantially darker second half.

Calderon's speciality - honour plays about wicked deeds and bloody revenge - apparently packed audiences into the Spanish corral de comedias, and Liverpool's Everyman Theatre provides just the right kind of intimate space. The square thrust stage comfortably accomodates the simple set of a two-storey house-front with obligatory upper windows, doubling niftily (thanks to some clever lighting) as a dark forest. A cunning trapdoor transports us seamlessly from downstairs to attic room. The sound of a vast regiment on the road is effectively conveyed by clattering horses' hooves galloping in surround sound, while the twilight supper is accompanied by tawny lighting and sleepy birdsong. The staging is as resourceful as the acting is committed.

In Michael Byrne's compelling portrayal of Pedro Crespo - ultimately mayor of Zalamea - the production has at its centre a character who embodies all the dignified, upright qualities of the peasant farmer sticking staunchly to his belief in justice and fairness, regardless of rank or the colour of one's blood. When he advises that young men should learn "when" and not "how" to fight, and at the same time declares that he'd hang a man who slandered his good name, you begin to understand how complicated this seemingly simple chap actually is.

The issues subsequently raised are no less complex. The play deals head-on with the rape of a young girl by the handsome yet arrogant and heartless Captain Don Alvaro (Paul Bhattacharjee), and the subsequent train of events and emotions is both surprising and gripping. Extreme codes of honour raise the temperature to boiling-point in this hothouse where rules of etiquette flourish and the contradictions between deference and self-esteem, dishonour and pride, provoke slights and situations to die for.

Richard Bremmer makes a striking Don Lope and, on his first entry in particular, is truly terrifying. Bodinetz has created a first-rate ensemble cast, and each of the principals deserves credit. James Wallace, as Don Mendo, and especially his sidekick Nuno (Nick Bagnall) provide an attractive comedy turn, Annabelle Dowler is a perky camp follower, and Chipo Chung gives a touching performance as Isabel.

Whether it is what the play's subtitle suggests - "The Best Garrotting Ever Done" - only Captain Don Alvaro can really say. Since, as the mayor points out, it may be a long while till we hear from the plaintiff, I suggest you go and find out for yourself.

To Saturday (0151 709 4776)