For those who can’t wait for Quantum of Solace, the Lyric is offering an extremely jolly action/spy caper. Fans of Bond might, however, start to suspect that all is not quite as it should be when a Russian agent is done for by a lethal copy of Time Out.

Japesters Peepolykus have come up with an ingenious idea, which the Lyric’s departing artistic director David Farr has fashioned into exceedingly mirthful shape. Actor John Nicholson (John Nicholson) is snatched away from rehearsals for The Importance of Being Earnest by a bout of gastric flu and winds up in the same hospital room as a poisoned Russian spy. There follows a deliciously labyrinthine plot involving genetically modified babies and celebrity pro-golf tournaments starring Ronnie Corbett, all contained within the framing device of that original, ill-starred Wilde production.

We start with some gloriously sub-standard Wildean acting before events hurtle pell-mell into an affectionate send-up of he spy genre. A lovably ramshackle set and props are a large part of Spyski’s charm along with the cracking script from Nicholson, who might require a cucumber sandwich or two to recover from his exertions, and Steven Canny. There are also delightful performances from a hard-working cast of five, not least Javier Marzan as the Earnest understudy poised to give Jack Worthing an almost impenetrable Spanish accent.

There’s a lot that is reminiscent of surprise West End hit The 39 Steps, although it can occasionally become too zany for its own good.

Spyski (0871 2211729, www.lyric.co.uk).