STAGE REVIEW: The Shakespeare Revue - at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, from Tuesday, August 30 until Saturday, September 3, 2017.

LIGHTS and at last action….. some 45 minutes later than expected!

Unfortunately a computer message which helps control the stage lighting had suffered a blip in transmission to the theatre, which meant the audience had to wait patiently before the doors eventually opened and they were finally allowed into their seats.

Unfortunately a considerable amount of anticipation had evaporated for many by then and what followed failed to lift spirits because it was so basic - more or less two or three minute slots a la the Comedy Club and shows of that ilk.

With the work of such theatrical luminaries to call upon - such as Alan Bennett, Victoria Wood, Peter Cook, Ned Sherrin, the Monty Python team, Derek Nimmo and others, I think we could be excused for expecting more.

However, many of those names are from another era and this revue and their work hasn’t really moved with the times. A little old hat in plain speak and in spite of the resolute and hard working cast it felt just like a college’s end of term offering.

The Revue show first came about on April 23, 1993, to add some light relief during a celebratory service in Stratford’s Holy Trinity Church for Shakespeare’s birthday.

Now, some 23 year on, it’s better days are becoming a distant memory as it’s beginning to wear thinly around the edges.

Mildly amusing and entertaining in parts, the small cast of five strove hard but clarity and projection meant some points were totally missed.