Mandrake

Mandrake explores Machiavelli's ruthless political philosophy; in a play where the hero’s sole aim is to get his end away with someone else’s wife, it’s unsurprising that the characters are repellent.

Where the company succeeds is in making depravity compelling. Most watchable is Rob Stott as sponger Lackwealth who, for a substantial fee, enables the lead to "do the nasty" with the object of his lust. Andrew Boxer, who plays this unfortunate, earns laughs as he ensures his wife’s adultery.

Mandrake, however, is very much of its time and setting it in modern dress doesn’t make it seem more relevant. It’s a strong production, but of limited appeal.