EASY to see why Pocket Theatre has such a devoted following when they present such hugely creative, funny and downright silly shows as this full-throttle take on the classic Shakespearean comedy of mistaken identities, pomposity, crossdressing, and drunkenness.

Superlative performances from a cast totally at ease with the verse allowed them to put their experience to great use in song, dance, audience participation and visual gags, managing to extract every ounce of comic business while telling the convoluted story with clarity and style.

Against a back-drop of tinsel, glitter balls and fairy lights, and guided by the multi-talented Mark Ponsford as the white-faced fool Feste, co-directors David Tatnall (a wonderfully conceited Malvolio) and Katherine Evans (perfect as the shipwrecked Viola) guided us through an evening of comic bliss, more than ably abetted by Lucy Miles’ sultry Olivia, Matthew Sturgeon’s inebriated Toby Belch, and Shaun Dodimead’s silly-ass Andrew Aguecheek.

Ed Howson