Shakespeare’s Venus and Adonis is a good poem, a great poem even. But it’s not a play. So the decision to stage it as such is a strange one, but one I found intriguing. Unfortunately, what we get is not really a dramatisation, as much as a dramatic reading, albeit a powerful one. Christopher Hunter demonstrates undeniable skill: the precision of his articulation, and the resonance of his voice are compelling, and at times the performance has real impact. But ultimately it’s not a one man play, it’s a man reciting one long poem for an hour, and despite my interest in the material, I found my mind wandering. A wasted opportunity.

C Primo, until 28 Aug.
tw rating 3/5 | [Andy Leask]