THE BEAUX STRATAGEM

Bridport Arts Centre

YOU expect the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School to take a few liberties with their student drama productions and they have certainly not disappointed in this respect with their current touring show.

This restoration romp which dates back to the early 1700s is given the Lady Gaga treatment topped up with corsets, highwaymen and dissolute toffs.

A plot that is surprisngly up to date in its bold declaration of the sorry treatment of women in a society where divorce was unheard of and men held all the cards.

But the accent in this production is on movement, mayhem and manic fun as two dissolute young men arrive in town with the intention of finding a couple of rich women, marrying them and then running off with their money, simple.

A cast of ten students change roles and gender in a fast moving and innovative comedy that keeps the original story line intact – well almost – but includes among other things a daft Benny Hill theme chase and rap dance routines.

With a storyline in which everyone is constantly telling lies about their identity, the pace never slackens but love conquers all in the end, performed with youthful energy and enthusiasm by the cast for whom a great acting future is predicted.

This unmissable production returns to Dorset in June at Frampton Village Hall and Sturminster Exchange on 27th and 28th of the month via Artsreach.

MARION COX