Tristan & Yseult

Kneehigh’s revival of their 2003 hit Tristan & Yseult brought a joyous, celebratory air to the Theatre Royal: a perfect fit for Brighton Festival. The live band plied a bawdy brand of various styles from pizzicato ethereality to popular covers in the interval. The layered music was a stark contrast to the beguiling, ludicrous antics on stage, which was one of the most humorous, captivating romps I’ve seen in a long time.

The sets were a delirium of metal, colour, fire and movement, to which a cappella singing brought a different shade of melody and beauty to the performance. The classic story was vividly acted and surprisingly emotional, yet the melodramatic carnival was of more interest than the narrative. The second half therefore lost momentum slightly with a more melancholy mood, but the sumptuous staging and hilarious performances prevailed. If you like a wild, intelligent ride grounded in a traditional story, like a sort of more subversive, creative panto, then you must see the next Kneehigh production.

Theatre Royal Brighton, 29 May 2017

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