Bawdy tales for players

BAWDY humour from the 14th-century is on the winter menu for The Marlowe Players.

Geoffrey Chaucer's famous Canterbury Tales have been updated for the stage by Phil Woods and The Marlowe Players will present a selection of the Tales, including the Miller's, Wife of Bath's, Franklyn's, Knight's, Pardoner's and Reeve's tales.

Director Suzi Illston says: "The Canterbury Tales are a masterly collection of romantic, moral and farcical stories which promise to provide an evening of colourful and good-spirited entertainment."

Chairman Gil Townes explains that the play takes the form of a competition between groups of actors, each performing one of the tales.

"At the end of the evening, the audience vote by cheering. The anticipation is that the Miller's Tale will win because it's the naughtiest but it will be up to the MC to judge from the audience's reaction."

The bawdy nature of the tales means this is not a play for children, Gil warns.

"Chaucer's Tales were very basic, blunt and crude. Although this is a modern adaptation in modern English it does retain a lot of the very bawdy aspects."

But it's not all rude and crude, adds Gil: "Chaucer's Tales have strong moral stories if you sit and listen to them."

The play is a break from tradition for the Marlowe Players, who will be returning to their usual fare for their next production, which will be The Importance of Being Earnest.

"The Canterbury Tales is a bit different but we're sure the audience will enjoy it."

Gil advises you to book early: "Most of our recent productions have sold out and we've had to turn people away."

You can see The Canterbury Tales at Darley Abbey Village Hall from December 1 to 5. Performances are at 7.30pm nightly with a 2.30pm matinee on the Saturday. Tickets are £5 on 07961 607372. For more details, visit our www.marlowe-players.co.uk.