ALL those who had their great poets and playwrights murdered in the schoolroom, fear not! The Wessex Actors company give a lively and highly entertaining performance of ‘Chaucer Made Modern’, a version of The Canterbury Tales penned by Phil Woods with Michael Bogdanov in 1974.

There are a couple of awkward moments where the interpretation of the script and the nature of the script itself - being of its time - may jar beyond a bawdy romp, but overall this lecherous launch into Chaucer is very funny with its ‘mucky humour’, timely sound effects, overdoses of slapstick and audience participation.

The whole production is carried superbly well by a robust cast, colourful costumes and inventive staging. Matthew Ellison, character actor par excellence, is an absolute scene-stealer as ‘The Miller’, with a hysterical array of utterly convincing mannerisms and accents to keep ’em rolling in the aisles throughout the play, while Pamela Brewer has great presence, giving a delightful ‘Mrs Pam Bath’.

Also with a natural flair for character acting, Scott Sullivan is wonderfully funny as he frolics confidently through a multitude of parts with rib-tickling results. Paul Mole is also very well cast as the long suffering Reverend, while Sean Beaumont, Marie Bushell and Toby Trimby give strong performances as Sean Reeve, Miss Pardoner and Toby Franklyn.

A very enjoyable watch.