Oxford’s former Professor of Poetry James Fenton has supplied the Royal Shakespeare Company with a splendid translation of Miguel de Cervantes’s Don Quixote for a production marking the quatercentenary of the writer’s death, an anniversary shared, of course, with Shakespeare.

His two-and-a-half hour play, by turns comic and touching, showcases in perfect style the talents of its two principal players and the accompanying ensemble work by a well-drilled company under director Angus Jackson.

The production sees a welcome return to the RSC, in the title role, of David Threlfall, who last triumphed on the Stratford stage more than 30 years ago with his award-winning portrayal of Smike in David Edgar’s eight-hour adaptation of Charles Dickens’s Nicholas Nickleby.

As the absurd Quixote, ever in search of opportunity to practise chivalry, his performance proves a comic tour de force, with a splendid partner in fun presented in the roly-poly figure of his faithful squire Sancho Panza.

In this role we see a notable Stratford debut for Rufus Hound, who took over the comic mantle of James Corden in the National Theatre’s One Man, Two Guvnors. The scenes of Sancho’s domestic life, with a missus (Gemma Goggin) encumbered by numerous rag-doll infants, are particularly well done

Together master and squire ride their rickets mounts into the familiar adventures, including the flock of sheep mistaken for an advancing army and those legendary windmills on the sails of which (designer Robert Innes Hopkins) Quixote makes alarming vertical ascent.

In time, darker hues emerge, with the wild-eyed Don coming to suggest something of the mad Lear.

Jolly songs in a pseudo flamenco style from Fenton and composer Grant Olding make a significant contribution to the success of the show.

Don Quixote continues until May 21. For tickets call 0844 800 1110 (rsc.org.uk)

Christopher Gray 4/5