The Canterbury Tales – West Yorkshire Playhouse

Writer: Geoffrey Chaucer

Adaptor: Mike Poulton

Reviewer: Audrey Pointer

The Public Reviews Rating:

One of the most famous and enduring works of English literature, Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales is a fourteenth century collection of stories written in Middle-English verse. Mike Poulton has penned a stage version of the original and under the keen directorial eye of Conrad Nelson it has been crafted into a relevant story for a modern audience.

Northern Broadsides are a theatre company renowned for performing Shakespeare and classical works in a “northern voice” quite often in venues not normally thought of as theatrical spaces. This production is in partnership with the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle under Lyme.

The play begins with a group of pilgrims, including Chaucer (Andy Cryer) gathering at The Tabard Inn in Southwark to start their journey to Canterbury. The Host (Phil Corbitt) challenges them to tell stories en route, with a free dinner when they return as the prize for the best tale.

And so the stage is set for a rollicking tour de force in which actors are, in turn, singers, musicians, narrators, puppeteers, dancers and stagehands as a multitude of characters are brought to life.

Lis Evans’ set design, created from pallets, boxes and a wooden tower structure, is made to work almost as hard as the performers. Props are used with an inventive simplicity (such as using a ladder as the sail of a windmill), which is echoed in Lee Threadgold’s animated objects.

Conrad Nelson’s music is a joy, and is well interpreted through Rebekah Hughes’ capable Musical Direction. It covers a range of styles including New Orleans jazz, barbershop, light opera, male voice choir and church music. A Mick Jagger-alike even makes an appearance at one point!

In this true ensemble piece, every member of the huge cast shines in their own way without ever hogging the limelight. Enjoyable comic performances from Ishia Bennison as the indomitable Wife of Bath, Rob Pickavance as the lecherous Old Knight and Dave Newman as cocksure Nicholas the Gallant were particular favourites, with subtler work from Rosie Jenkins, Andrew Whitehead, Guy Lewis and Richard Standing.

All actors also contributed to the piece as consummate musicians playing a wide range of instruments. Vocally, the entire cast is strong and melodious, combining at times to fill the large auditorium with sweet harmonies. The climax in Canterbury is genuinely moving.

There are some structural challenges to staging this adaptation and at times, the narrative voices slow down the action. However, Northern Broadsides charm the audience with their energetic approach, their range of theatrical techniques and the sheer class of the performers. Mediaeval England is brought to life in all its vulgar vitality and pious endeavour. It’s Carry On Chaucer at some points but there are enough more poignant moments to keep it in balance.

The quality of acting and musical talent on display is impressive and is reason enough to go and see this production. If you want pure Chaucer, you need to read his verse but in some ways, the play is far more enjoyable than the book!