King John at RSC Stratford

Shakespeare would have been overjoyed with this ultra modern production of the little performed King John. His aim was to appeal to the masses while at the same time delivering important messages in wonderful language. So a serious play about kingship and war set at it's own time would have been a total bore. But here at Stratford's intimate Swan Theatre, it becomes a big party. And what a party. It all starts with a young woman (The Bastard, see later) and a ukulele encouraging the audience to join her in an uptempo version of "Land of Hope and Glory". So you knew straight off that this would be different. Oh, and the bank of balloons at the rear of the stage gave the game away.

The young Swedish director Maria Aberg has taken two huge liberties with the casting. Well, "fast and loose" is a quote from the play. The characters of The Bastard (the most significant role in the whole production) and Pandulph, the Pope's representative, have changed gender. And with two important roles for the mothers of John and his dead elder brother's son Henry, (who had more of a claim to the throne than did John) we now have a play about four strong women. And this works superbly well. The Bastard is played by the wonderful Pippa Nixon (below). Here is a star in the making. She is absolutely brilliant. No wonder the RSC have given her some big roles over the last couple of years. She even did a superb rendition of Wye Oak's folk rock song "Civilian".

The staging of the play is hugely entertaining. The whole cast is on stage for much of the time in the first half. After the wedding, we are treated to a West End musical as Dirty Dancing ("The Time of My Life") and "Say a Little Prayer" take over.

The second half is a much shorter and dramatic as John's grip on the crown becomes increasingly tenuous. The party is over. Shame, as we had such a wonderful time.