The Canterbury Tales

In this adaptation of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales by Martin Riley, Chaucer is dead – well, sort of – and four medieval alchemists attempt to bring him back to life by inviting a group of his best-known pilgrims: the Knight, the Wife of Bath, the Pardonner, the Nun’s Priest and the Miller, to tell their tales. Miraculously he rises again! Meanwhile, medieval English is abandoned, comedy is very much to the fore and vague memories start to stir from my bored schoolboy memory of what the Wife of Bath’s tale was all about!

Although most action takes place on the floor, Martin Hogg’s simple set was very rustic with an opened-out cart giving some height, backed by Lion and Unicorn banners. Excellent (and often amusing) props, together with simple lighting, super costumes (Zoe Maddison and Claudia Vogl) and very authentic sounding music (beautifully played by Ali Hill and Peta Siewvwright) - was all that was needed to create the perfect atmosphere. The icing on the cake was the programme: delightfully presented as a scroll of parchment.

Kat Wootton has chosen a very strong and experienced cast who all took on multiple roles and bounded around the tiny stage with maximum enthusiasm and enjoyment, despite the warmth of the evening. It would be iniquitous to single out any individuals – you all acted your hearts out, bringing the effervescent characters to life with great vivacity. Everyone made their time on stage unforgettable.

If only Chaucer had been this much fun when I was at school! Your fabulous characterisations, enormous energy and real cohesion as a team brought these ancient tales to life and made them understandable in a way I’ve never experienced before. Your real team performance was our intense enjoyment. Brilliant!

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