I arrived at Worcester College with a few moments to appreciate the beautiful buildings and gardens in the last of the day’s faultless blue skies and sunshine. What a stunning venue. With just enough time to find a seat in the modest rows laid out on the immaculate lawn, I took in my surroundings and looked forward to the show, as much as one can look forward to a play one knows very little about. Having read the synopsis on a flyer on my way in, that was about my limit of knowledge of this retelling of Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost. After a rough night of partying, four young students swear to fast, study and see no women. But guess what? They had forgotten that an ambassadorial mission of four (of course!) young women are set to visit their college. Hilarity ensues. Apparently classed as one of Shakespeare’s wittiest comedies, Love’s Labour’s Lost is one of his earlier plays, said to have originally been written in the mid-1590s for Elizabeth I.

Before the play began we were treated to an introduction by the outgoing Provost of Worcester College, Sir Jonathan Bate, himself previously on the board of the Royal Shakespeare Company. He welcomed us to his home (the performance was set in the Provost’s Gardens – not usually open to the public) and gave us a potted history of the play and a little about this particular performance. Set in the 1920s at a college (rather than at the King of Navarre’s court), the comedy focuses on the much-loved Shakespearean theme of ‘finding’ oneself. With characters from both above and below stairs, there was certainly enough variety to keep the audience entertained for a couple of hours.

The performances of the members of the Cosmic Arts troupe were brilliant, with wonderful chemistry between our main players, both male and female. Led by Lakeem Rose as Ferdinand (the King) and the Princess, Juni Ham, I fell in love with each character as their stories unfolded. I have to say, from our four students and their potential love interests, while all funny in their own way, the actor that stood out for me was Jonny Wiles with his Branagh-like declarations as Berowne; the Shakespearean language really felt the most comfortable and powerful coming from him. I kept imagining him sparring with Emma Thompson back in the days of that star-filled film version of Much Ado About Nothing.

Meanwhile, below stairs we were treated to another cast of comedy characters, most noteworthy the bombastic, camp Armado (played extravagantly by Jack Marsh). His Spanish accent was beyond compare, and occasionally beyond understanding. But no matter – every time he was present, the audience was chuckling or downright guffawing.

With a beautiful old Rolls Royce present on stage throughout and the casting of a lovely, most well-behaved little pooch, I thoroughly enjoyed both the aesthetics and action of one of Shakespeare’s shorter plays. Perfect for a summer’s evening, but remember to take a blanket or a cardigan – the sun sets fast in Navarre. The interval prosecco or Pimms will soon warm your cockles though, as will the good-heartedness of the show.