A peerless production

While sitting, waiting for the proverbial 'curtain up' on the RSC's Don Quixote (there is no curtain), I listened in on a compare and contrast conversation from the couple directly behind me.

I 'learnt' the book itself was compulsory reading for any literary student worth their salt (so much for my wasted college years); that Peter O'Toole was just wonderful in The Man of La Lamcha (never got to see it) and as for the Terry Gilliam version well 'pure Gilliam'.

I know also now there is a ballet version heading for the Royal Opera House, which I may try to catch.

And so I confess to being in ignorance of more than a cursory knowledge of Don Quixote, except for the title and a general awareness of a Spanish knight on horseback and his portly sidekick struggling to keep up on muleback.

In this instance my ignorance was of the blissful kind, because I doubt anything that has gone before or is yet to come will compare with what unfolded.

This RSC production of Don Quixote is, in this respect, peerless, a genuinely hilarious, wonderfully uplifting, music laced production embracing pantomime tinged with poignancy.

It continually throws curve balls at the audience, and indeed (spoiler alert) bread rolls.

The success of this Don Quixote is a real theatrical feat, requiring knife edge acting skills of the highest calibre from the whole ensemble.

The comic timing, in particular, is exceptional and makes for an achingly funny evening in the theatre.

In lesser thespian hands it could so easily have been excruciatingly toe curling.

The Ingenious Nobleman Sir Quixote of La Mancha (Don Quixote), was originally atwo-part novel by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes, and one generally lauded as among the finest works of fiction.

It tells of the adventures of one Alonso Quixano, an hidalgo (or nobleman)who, having hooked on tales of chivalry during the Spain's golden age, loses his senses and 'becomes'the knight Don Quixote de la Manchais.

In this guise he embarks on a quest to embrace, to the utmost, the Spanish age of chivalry, riling against the derision and scorn of fellow villagers.

And so with the ne'er-do-well Sancho Panza, as his squire, Don Quoxote heads the off in pursuit of his dreams and knightly trials to accomplish.

Given his state of mind, Don Quoxite first confuses windmills as giants and then herds of sheep as marauding armies - vigorously attempting to do battle with both.

With David Threlfall (Don Quixote) and Rufus Hound (Sancho Panza), this production is blessed with two exceptionally fine actors playing off each other to remarkable effect.

And so while Rufus Hound milks the audience like a seasoned 'Buttons', David Threlfall is a 'Lear', playing the absurdity of his condition with Shakespearean Gravity.

While to focus of mush of the humour it is Threlfall's protrayal ofDon Quixote is portrayed that gives an underlying poignancy to the production.

It is difficult to watch Threfall's often very touching performance without being seeing the onset of dementia.

This is most profound in the mocking his delusional pursuits receive.

And if so then Hound is the carer, by turns annoyed, frustrated and amused at his masters antics, but also totally devoted to him.

Rest assured, there is never a chance of this Don Quixotebecoming morose, stacked as is with faux pas, musical interludes and stunning puppetry.

And when each and every member of this truly excellent cast is given time to shine in the spotlight.

Whatever you might not have known about Don Quixote before my trip to the Garrick! I do know for sure that I cannot recommend this RSC production strongly enough.

Don Quixote

Garrick Theatre

2 Charring Cross Road

London

WC2h 2 HH

Useful links

www.rsc.org.uk/don-quixote

www.garricktheatre.org