Poxy trio get medieval on a shoestring

This is a supremely poxy, puss-laden feast for the senses that will make you even more nervous about the onset of bird flu.

Three lusty, busty, trusty actors unfold a tragic tale of unrequited love, unleashed passion, riparian ravaging and well-concealed scabs, in days when the plague was the thing.

Using every cliche, heaving breast and well-packed cod piece, Mathew Baynton as naive forest creature-faced Minstrel, Jamie Glassman as paunchy Lord George Ponsonby and Clare Thomson as man-hungry Mathilde, do their best to die laughing and take the audience along.

Instant rivers, well-targetted rat plagues, Kama Sutra seduction (at least 12 positions), French licking, bounteous cleavage, gobbled grapes, fountains of hope and a remarkably violent Punch & Judy show just add to the fun of this infectious fable.

If they missed a medieval cliche it's not their fault - director Cal McCrytsal doesn't miss a beat in sending the whole plauge era up rotten.

And it all happens in a converted church: God may prove rather vengeful - look to the skies!

The Sunday Mail, 5th March 06