ONE of the first signs of summer for theatre-lovers is the arrival of the touring, open-air theatre companies and, among the first appearances, is that of the Wirral-based Foolsgold Company.
They like to do unexpected dramas and, this year, their choice is a new adaptation of Baroness Orczy's The Scarlet Pimpernel, first published in 1905.
She wrote numerous sequels, there have been films, theatre plays, television versions and even a musical. But for sheer unexpected pleasures, there can be few to match this production.
It is a promenade show which means the audience have to walk to different locations to watch the action, at Royden Park, Frankby, where I saw it, these varying between an open field, woodland glade, footpath and a moor.
This makes for a lively show, particularly when unusual events occur, the first scene interrupted by a stray dog wandering first into the action and then the audience.
Adapter Sherry Hughes was able to turn this tale of a secret British spy (The Scarlet Pimpernel) rescuing aristocrats from the French Revolution into a jolly, fun-filled evening.
We were first addressed by a French soldier, Sgt Bibot (Steve Chapman), who explained the historic background while trying to spot Royalists among our number.
