Resa Fantastiskt Mystisk ****

More than anything I wish I had seen this fantastic show sooner because then I could have recommended it to more people. I had absolutely no idea of what I was coming to watch and my enjoyment and admiration grew exponentially as I sat.

At first I thought it was interesting, then I realised it was funny - moreover, it quickly became obvious that it was clever and that the actors were wonderful. By the time we got to the "trial scene", I knew it was hilarious on at least three levels and the most perfectly pitched piece of writing and performing since Peter Sellers’s travelogue on Venice.

On the face of it, Resa Fantastiskt Mystisk is a recently unearthed masterwork by the 19th-century Swedish playwright-provocateur Lars Mattsun. On stage there are eight actors who give wonderful performances in a variety of roles in this narrative yet allegorical, naturalistic yet stylised, brilliant yet absolutely dreadful play, which unusually takes the apple as its central motif.

To help us through the piece, Todd Merrill not only gives us a introduction, but also talks through the entire play via the personal headsets given out to the audience. His commentary is such that you feel you are being given two shows for the price of one.

Far be it from me to mention it, but there did seem to be some tensions in the cast. And between cast and director.

The night I was there - although differences may have been resolved by now - we got to the after-show group discussion and there was palpable ill feeling. And, to be honest, harsh words were exchanged.

But apart from that, and a short supernatural visitation, this was one of the most entertaining, exhilarating hours I have spent this August.

Ends today