Crime pays — and plays well — in “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder” at Diamond Head Theatre, and it’s an artistic and technical triumph, brilliantly cast, superbly performed and ingeniously staged.

The musical, a collaboration of Robert L. Freedman (book and lyrics) and Steven Lutvak (music and lyrics), requires a proper British accent and impeccable comedic timing, and two stage workhorses provide textbook lessons in key roles.

On one side, Zachary Linnert, as Monty Navarro, plays an ambitious wannabe who covets the reign and riches of the Earl of D’Ysquith, a family tycoon. Problem is, he’s No. 9 in the hierarchy of successors.

Linnert brings a rich voice and charming presence to the steadfast character, along with a sharp flair for comedy, notably in Act II, when he’s between two doors, spread-eagled since the rooms harbor two love interests in his life.

On the other side, Garrett Hols has a plum assignment playing eight distinct D’Ysquith murder victims dispatched in a volley of outrageous methods: drowned in a frozen winter lake while skating, beheaded while lifting weights, and stung to death by bees.

The D’Ysquith gallery includes men, women and even a foppish gay character, and Hols is delirious and delightful in each situation.

The teamwork of Linnert and Hols — and their precision as actors, singers and comics — peaks in a clever “Better With a Man” number.

Though the tunes are not take-home singable, they have a spirit and tone reminiscent of Stephen Sondheim, Noel Coward and Gilbert and Sullivan, delivered in an operatic manner.

The two female leads — Kim Anderson as Sibella Hallward, Monty’s first love, and Brooke Lynne Alcuran, as Phoebe D’Ysquith, the second — bring powerful and strong voices to the party.

Director-choreographer John Rampage clearly went on a rampage to shape and move his cadre of 12 actors, eight of whom play multiple roles involving brisk, agile moves and dances. In a couple of scenes, the members of the ensemble corps don a series of crisp, black costumes designed by Kimmerie Jones, who also assembled natty suits for Monty and a few outrageous curiosities for the dotty D’Ysquith characters played by Hols.

Willie Sabel’s stationary set piece features a central panel where projections define locations from London to Africa. One scene, with cutouts of actors playing portraits coming to life, is inventive and stylish; a winter skating scene enables actors to glide and slide as though they’re on ice.

Like the original Broadway launch of “Gentlemen’s Guide” in 2013, which went on to win four Tony Awards including best musical, this DHT venture welcomes fresh talents: leading man Linnert, musical conductor Darcie Yoshinaga and actors Christine Kluvo (Lady Eugenia), Lindsay Rabe (Miss Barley) and Nick Brown (Mr. Gorby).

New blood reflects goodwill for any theater and promotes growth for the future.

Running time: 2:20.