“Dr Faustus” by Christopher Marlowe
Guildhall Theatre, Derby.

Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company present, and in full, “The Tragical History Of The Life And Death Of Dr Faustus” and is the story of a doctor who, hungry for more and bored of what he has, makes a pact with the devil in order to obtain even more knowledge and power.

The price? His soul!. It has it all; Devils, damsels and dastardly deeds. It’s the battle of good over evil, heaven or hell, red or brown sauce…. OK maybe not the last bit!

It’s a modern production, described as “stripped back” and played through without an interval; let’s face it where would you put the interval and why break that impetus and tension?

It starts off like a University campus party on the way to being debauched with a throbbing dance soundtrack. Oh I must mention the pre production soundtrack really appealed to the cheesy geeky side of me. All of the songs had a heaven or hell theme "Devil In Disguise", "Devil Went Down To Georgia", "Devil And The Deep Blue Sea", "Take Me To Church", you get the drift and it gets my seal of approval straight off!

I'm sure that you've all been to a play where you could not take your eyes off of the stage, well that is just like that. For the whole time the production was on, my eyes were transfixed to that stage and those actors. They had me under their devilish spell and it was heaven.

Directed by Niki Caister, she has thrown everything at this production, and even kept that air of uncertainty and unease surrounding it.

Anyway, like I was saying, this production had everything from bendy acrobatics to pyrotechnics to chanting monks, puppetry and a kazoo musically themed wedding. You really do have to see this if you possibly can.

Taking the lead role is Chris Scott and what a performance. I don't think I have seen Chris before and it'd great as a theatre goer to see someone new who really excites you. He slowly deconstructs the character of the intelligent Faustus to a broken wreck of a man.

Mephistopheles is played by James M Dean. Again, a newcomer to thine eyes but he is the one that causes that uneasy feeling on stage, without even doing much. just his presence as Lucifer's right hand man is enough to give you nightmares when you shut your eyes - something you won't be doing while the play is on! His whole persona and physicality oozes menace.

OK, here's another bit I loved. Richard Whitehorn as Lucifer, dressed in a white tuxedo and bow tie. How classy is that for the big man down under?

Loved the comedy of the seven deadly sins Wrath (Adam Hodgson), Covetousness (Alex Wrampling), Envy (Natasha Caister), Sloth (Matthew Swan) - who had a great T Shirt for the character, Gluttony (Daisy Chell), Pride (Clare Snape) and Lechery (Danny Duder) - another great choice of costume. All of these actors also doubling up in other roles.

The set design (Abby Caister/Ken Owen/Neil Jones) was clever and eye catching. great lighting design (Steve Greatorex) and an equally brilliant sound design (Niki Caister/Mat Shepherd).

The costumes were wonderful, as were the masks and make up.

This is the first fully presented show I've seen by this theatre group, although I was very lucky to have sat in with a full rehearsal run through of "the Tempest" earlier this year, but I can't wait to see "Richard III" in March 2019. I am now a fully fledged fan of this theatre company who are not afraid to add a bit extra spice to an already tasty recipe when it comes to cooking up the classics.

A heavenly production which will give you a devilishly good time, but only if you get in there fast as “Dr Faustus” is at only at The Guildhall Theatre, Derby until Saturday 10 November 2018.