As a family we were very excited to watch the Oxford Theatre Guild production of T.S Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral. Having listened to my youngest son talk non stop about Thomas Becket (particularly his grisly death), I felt well equipped to watch this version of the play, set in the 1930s, with the background of fascism shaping the pivotal moments.

The setting was simple but effective. Eerie lighting set the scene for the tense moments, shards of blood fell symbolically at the moment of death. The initial scene drew the audience in with a beautiful hymn sung by the choir - who were brilliant in all their scenes: the songs interwoven with the acting was very effective.

Costumes were well thought out. I especially liked the Women of Canterbury outfits, where close attention to detail made everyone look authentic and co-ordinated, from the shawls to the heels to the scarfs.

The show itself was captivating - you could hear a pin drop in the audience. The Women of Canterbury collectively were enthralling, infusing the suffering with passion - so believable. It was refreshing to see women of all backgrounds and ages participating. The actor playing Thomas Becket, Nick Fyson, was excellent, portraying his character's initial struggles with his situation, developing richly into self confidence and belief in himself and his cause. A special mention should go to the Tempters, who brought suspense and threat to the stage, as well as some much needed humour at times. Annesh Ramklown in particular exhibited comic timing when needed, and dramatic flair in his scenes.

The adaptation set in modern times worked well and in the current age we live in, was a timely reminder of the impact of fighting, war, and turmoil in the world.

An engaging and powerful play right from the start. I would highly recommend, and a congratulations to the cast and director for a most successful opening night.