THEATRE: THE JABBERWOCK

IF A MAN on hydraulic stilts slashing swords as a giant bird of prey sounds like your kind of show, then you'll find plenty to excite in The Jabberwock.

Knowing nothing of the Scarlet Blade Theatre company's work, I was, I admit, somewhat thrilled when a campfire ghost-telling session was suddenly laid waste by a semi-naked man animalistically launching himself on stage and clawing his victims to death. But this impressively choreographed martial arts blur was a mere prelude to the main narrative.

The plot, such as it is, concerns a young man falling into a trance-like state and his companions whispering a fantastical quest into his ear, in which Saul (Richard Hay) must rescue his beloved Lucia (Stephanie Cowton) from the clutches of the monstrous Jabberwock (Alex Keeling).

Notwithstanding Lucia's less than virtuous reputation as a damsel in distress, the familiar narrative is a hodge-podge of Ray Harryhausen movies and Dungeons & Dragons-style nonsense, our hero facing up to creatures like the Bandersnatch and the Jub Jub Bird on his journey.

The appeal lies in the virtuoso fight scenes and in particular Keeling's incredible lupine physicality – snarling, scampering and hurling himself around murderously as the malevolent beast.

• Until 25 August. Today 4:45pm