Creation Theatre, well known for their colourful and inspirational interpretation of dramatic space, have come up with something special in their current production of The Winter's Tale. Shakespeare's bittersweet fairytale of love and jealousy, friendship and betrayal, children abandoned - and reclaimed, is set in the atmospheric Mirror Tent at the Oxford BMW plant. The play, movingly and convincingly performed by a strong cast, was a perfect choice for the venue, which, with its velvet and gilt and cabaret-style seating, creating the feel of a French music hall or a fairground show, would admittedly have lent any story a magical quality.

This is a production which emphasises the magical or supernatural elements of the play; the madness of Leontes (Andrew Harrison), the vengeance of Apollo, and the resurrection of Hermione (Sasha Waddell), are all portrayed with utter intensity and conviction. However, these moments are offset by the lighter pastoral scenes; the young lovers Florizel (Tristan Bayne) and Perdita (Sarah McNeale) are a breath of fresh air. Perdita's family of shepherds may have saved her from death, but they also serve to save the audience from an excess of drama and tragedy, making The Winter's Tale a beautifully balanced play. Time is an overriding theme, and the action is staged on a set resembling a huge clock, with the figure of Time (Justin Webb) appearing as a narrator. Each character has a corresponding puppet, which is hung from the clock as events, and time, overtake the character.

The cast, who performed the music, also playing multiple roles and helping each other with changes of scenery and costume, certainly make Creation the renaissance man of Oxford theatre. Their energy was breathtaking, and their performances impressive, while seeing them as different characters gave the opportunity to appreciate their versatility; here, Sasha Waddell as both the stately Hermione and a Clown, and Justin Webb as the grave Time and the rogue Autolycus, were particularly impressive.

The practical pleasures of watching a play in the Mirror Tent also deserve a mention. The atmosphere is wonderfully intimate, and the table arrangement allows you to feel less constrained and much more part of the action than conventional seating. The proximity to the elements, as well as the actors, added to the experience (especially when the noise of rain beating on the roof coincided with a particularly dramatic moment). Blankets are provided in case the elements start to feel a little too close, although the tent is heated, and quality crepes are available from Michel of Bon Appetit.

With such masterful showmanship, great performances and terrific attention to detail all round, I honestly can't recommend this production enough. Either the play or the tent alone would be well worth a visit; together they create a truly memorable evening.

Susie Cogan, 17.02.04