Chortle at Chaucer in Sandy

The Pantaloons perform every single one of the 24 completed Canterbury Tales; no mean feat considering the play features a cast of just five actors playing over 70 characters in under two hours at the RSPB Lodge in Sandy.

To make it even harder for themselves The Pantaloons are also performing every tale in a different theatrical style.

In this total theatre experience, audiences can expect pantomime, puppetry, masks, musicals, mime, farce, reality television, horror and opera. Even Shakespeare gets a look-in.

The play follows a group of pilgrims who decide to hold a story-telling contest on the road from Southwark to the shrine of St Thomas Beckett in Canterbury.

The pilgrims are from all walks of medieval life and include a Knight, a Miller, a Monk, a Prioress, a Shipman and a rather insatiable Wife of Bath.

Anyone unfamiliar with middle English has no need to panic as the show has been newly translated into vibrant modern language.

Mark Hayward from the group said: “It’s all about being faithful to the original text whilst making it relevant to a modern audience. It’s a tricky line to walk but as we were translating we realised that the key things were to keep it accessible and keep it funny.”

Performances are at 6pm on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday. For tickets call the Lodge on 01767 693333 or alternatively visi www.thepantaloons.co.uk.