This beautifully crafted performance comes highly recommended. Actor James Clarkson has been touring it for two years, delighting audiences with the intimacy of the performance in the confined space of a church and its pulpit. The script is drawn entirely from John Donne’s words. He is the pre-eminent representative of the metaphysical poets, his eloquence and terse syntax a refreshing contrast to the smoothness of his contemporaries and their Elizabethan poetry and prose.

We begin with Donne’s early life. After studying at Oxford’s Hart College (now Hertford) and then at ‘the other place’, he moved on to the Inns of Chancery in London. Throughout this period, he spent his inheritance on women — the inspiration for his, often erotic, love poetry — and a generally worldly existence, leaving him in poverty.

The story continues with Donne’s secret and at times desperate marriage to his patron’s niece, Anne, both patron and Anne’s family being opposed to the marriage. And the struggle continues with poverty, potential obscurity and the financial burden of his ten surviving children. Following Anne’s death, his writing so pleased King James that he urged Donne to take Holy Orders, a path that led him to become Dean of St Paul’s. His sermons chart his turbulent relationship with God and finally give way to his preparation for and acceptance of death.

Clarkson ably and skilfully takes us through the enormous journey that is Donne’s life. This is a performance described as “powerful and enthralling” and “extraordinarily rich”.

The performance is at St Frideswide’s Church, Botley Rd, Oxford, on Wednesday and Thursday at 7.30pm. After the show, the cafe at the West Oxford Community Centre (opposite) is offering a 17th-century meal and wine. To book a meal contact ailsa@woca-cafe.org.uk