LOPE de Vega's The Dog in the Manger forms part of the RSC Golden Age season, which showcases Shakespeare's lesser-known contemporaries.

On entering, ladies and men are separated, then subjected to a warm-up. Provided with a list of Spanish insults, spectators were encouraged to heckle or flirt with anyone within range. This move, designed to create a fiery Mediterranean atmosphere, was a great hit, once the audience had overcome their shyness.

Yet the play was in no way upstaged by its zany introduction. Dramatic and witty from the off, The Dog in the Manger moves fast and is packed with timeless humour springing from the battle of the sexes. Overall, women come out on top, although the scheming and heartbreak respect no boundaries.

The action follows the flirtations of the Countess of Belflor, her servants and her suitors. Shakespearean mistaken identity provides many of the laughs, while the sharp new translation makes every word count. There are no flowery speeches, but plenty of uproarious banter and innuendo.

The stunning gothic costumes allow Rebecca Johnson, as the countess, to glide scornfully amongst her lackeys in the manner of Anne Robinson, while Simon Trinder steals the show as Tristan, the manipulative yet loveable manservant. He bounces barefoot across the stage, then lets fly with an earthy Cockney wit worthy of Del Boy Trotter.

An intellectual pantomime for grown-ups, and not to be missed.

* Runs until November 27. Box Office: 0870 905 5060

Published: 10/11/2004