Funny, fast-paced and at times completely chaotic, Charles Maturin’s tale of a man who sells his soul to the devil, emerging to tempt others at life’s darkest moments, is treated far from classically in Big Telly’s production. Incorporating slapstick, song, shocks, surprises and a few touching moments of stillness and serenity, masks are brilliantly used as an enthralling device with which to characterise the ridiculous and highly endearing choir. The performances are undoubtedly strong, but the play-within-a-play structure became confusing, and the overarching plot was slightly lost in all the commotion. The masks also occasionally muddied things further, as leaving one cast-member sometimes unmasked confused, rather than clarified, his character. Still, this was genuinely amusing – occasionally unclear, but definitely entertaining.

The Assembly Rooms, until 25 Aug, 4.10pm.
tw rating 3/5 | [Polly Davidson]