Review: The Canterbury Tales at Liverpool Playhouse - a bawdy night that certainly won't bore!

The Northern Broadsides' clever production of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales is a masterpiece of entertainment not to be missed.

It takes the extraordinary combination of the comic genius of writer Mike Poulton and the mastery of the Stage Management team to produce this excellent three-hour spectacular which stays completely faithful to Chaucer's original work.

The versatility of the wooden set and the excellence of the actors, beautifully garbed in the costumes of the Pilgrims, transport us back over 600 years to the 14th Century, to the famous Tabard Inn on the road to Canterbury.

Here we are introduced in turn to a group of pilgrims, who are on a pilgrimage to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury. A complete pot pourri of characters who are linked to each other solely by their weak and transparent humanity.

At the Inn, the Host invites the Pilgrims to sing for their supper by each telling an uplifting tale to help ease the tedium of the long journey ahead... and so our journey begins too... a magical tour through each tale which excites and delights us.

This new version keeps us enthralled with Chaucer's rich vocabulary and its rhythmic lilt brings the text to life in a way that we as a modern audience can enjoy and understand.

It is full of fun, tickles, giggles and outright guffaws. A fine tribute to Chaucer's understanding of the human condition and his own sense of humour.

There were 'nine and twenty' Pilgrims in the original version but obviously for the sake of the theatrical show this has to be cut and made to measure to fit the stage and the timing.

It is all excellently catered for, with the stage and the players cleverly adapting to embroider each tale as it unfolds.

The Miller's Tale is always considered to be the most raucous and lewd, especially coming after the Knight's gentle tale of heroic deeds and romantic love. We are not disappointed, as the Miller (Matthew Rixon) serves us a great feast of fun.

You will find yourself glued by eyes and ears as you gobble up the rich language and the pageantry of each tale whilst smiling and chuckling throughout.

I was particularly charmed by the Wife of Bath (Ishia Bennison) who, already four times widowed, is on the prowl for husband number five! She has been left with no illusions in life but still enjoys being wooed and wants the challenge that marriage will bring her - another man to master.

It is obvious from start to finish that the Cast have thoroughly enjoyed making and being an integral part of this production. They all individually show their singing and musical skills when almost every instrument you can think of is brought up on stage - the drums playing a very dramatic part.

As the pilgrims reach Canterbury we have a wonderful display of candlelight and harmonious accord which builds to a marvellous crescendo as the play ends.

If you love to hear a good yarn, well told and have a good laugh at the same time, do go along to the Playhouse theatre and see this delightful production.

Northern Broadsides' The Canterbury Tales is on at the Liverpool Playhouse until 27th March. To book tickets please call 0151 709 4776 or visit www.everymanplayhouse.com/ (N.B Suitable for ages 12+. Contains humour of a grown up nature and a scene with female nudity of a non sexual nature.)

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