A Fully Rounded, If Completely Stupid, Show

Hey Nonny Nonny! Pull on your pantyhose and let's play ring a ring o' roses! It's time for mandolin ditties, frolicking maidens and mass early-death in this bawdy medieval play. Historical clichés provide ripe material for a happy hour; there's misheard Olde English (‘grope' =‘grape' etc), silly dances and upper class buffoons. This might sound excruciating but the light script manages to carry it off with such charm that the audience are drawn in.

The middle ages, of course, have been plundered for comedy before by both Monty Python and Blackadder, but here it is given a fresh appeal by the sheer talent of the actors. They combine physical, clownlike comedy with hammy oration, mocking ‘Shakespearean' over-acting. Clare Thomson, in particular, as the fair maiden, is a brilliant comic actor, sending up the idea of a flirty virgin hilariously. Mat Baynton and Jamie Glassman, as the two men fighting over her, are almost like cartoon characters in the way they become larger than life. There are slapstick scenes of sex, fighting and eventually death, providing a fully rounded, if completely stupid, show.

Amy Liptrot, Fest, 26th August 05