WELL I'm blowed if I know what George Farquhar was getting at when he wrote The Beaux Stratagem.

I guess this may be a simple case of critic losing the plot but I did wander in and out of understanding the Lord and his servant bent on finding a rich marriage bed to climb into.

However, I do have to admit to giving up trying to follow the story in the second half. But never mind the story, the lack of it didn't bother the audience and the players seemed to be enjoying themselves.

I did, however, enjoy the scenery and the trip into the re-created town of Lichfield with its drunkards and vagabonds, brilliantly created by director Simon Pell.

He has certainly lived up to past successes in creating a stunning set and some rather neat visual theatrical trickeries. Great costumes by Lesley Cutting.

There are a few choice cameo performances from Fred Traice as Boniface the Landlord and Gordon Duffy-McGhie who deftly handled Archer.

Emily Blanchard threw heart, soul and more than a pinch of talent into her performance of Dorinda and Helen Dexter's pushy upstart Cherry, the landlord's daughter, was a pleasure to watch.

There's plenty of business going on with some very funny moments. Add in the fireworks at the end and of course the glorious setting of the Bowes Museum and you still get an enjoyable evening's entertainment, but I'm afraid it just didn't happen for me this time.

The Beaux Stratagem runs until Saturday. Performances at 7.30pm. Tickets: £4-£12. Box Office: Freephone 0800 074 7080

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