FOUR STARS

Coming across as a beguiling blend of Oscar Wilde and Frankie Howerd, David Walliams’s hilarious portrayal of Bottom, in the latest West End success from the Michael Grandage Company, confirms him as a stage performer of rare gifts.

As one unfamiliar with his small-screen persona as a star of Little Britain, I warmed at once to his sprited turn here. While his gleeful camperies might make one wonder at the likelihood of the ass-headed weaver’s lust for Sheridan Smith’s voluptuous Titania, there is no denying that their tryst in the leafy fairy bower is a comic highlight of this hugely entertaining show.

But it is far from the only one. The Pyramus and Thisbe play that climaxes this fast-paced production brings tears to the eyes. It features memorable contributions from Alex Large’s winsome Flute/Thisbe, Craig Vye’s roaring Snug/Lion, Henry Everett’s stolid Snout/Wall and Stefan Adegbola’s Starveling/Moonshine.

The quartet perform sterling service, too, as attendants at a fairy court clearly modelled, with its hippy clothes and billowing reefers, on a 1960s pop festival. Their well-sculpted physiques, reflecting that of their master Oberon (Pádraic Delaney), provide some of the male pulchritude with which this production is lavishly endowed.

More eye-candy is supplied by the quartet of young lovers. Having been debagged by lovelorn Helena (Katherine Kingsley) early in their forest adventures, Stephano Braschi’s strapping Demetrius remains in skimpy white underpants through all the confusions that follow.

It is hardly surprising in the circumstances that Puck (Gavin Fowler) miscarries in his administration of the love potion, having been advised by Oberon that “the disdainful youth” can be identified by “the Athenian garments he hath on”.

Undressing proving contagious, Sam Swainsbury’s Lysander, along with Helena and Hermia (Susannah Fielding), soon find themselves out of their clothes as well.

The spectacular fall-out between the two girls, one of the best such ructions in the whole wide world of drama, is brilliantly managed under Grandage’s direction.

For the fifth and final contribution to this memorable and starry West End season, the company remains with the Bard, giving a challenging role to Jude Law as Henry V. I can’t wait.

Noël Coward Theatre, London
Until November 16
Box office: 0844 482 5141, MichaelGrandage Company.com