HIGHBROW and intellectual are words that spring to mind about this production of Peer Gynt. This play, which was difficult to follow at times, kept a packed out audience enthralled, if not a little confused.

Since Peer Gynt was not written to be performed on the stage, the original version by Norwegian Henrik Ibsen would have lasted six hours in its entirety. Perhaps if I had seen the full six hours I may have understood it better.

This version, translated by Michael Meyer and directed by Braham Murray, attempts to explain the conscience of one man and how far he can sink before he is resurrected.

With a plot that jumps time at the change of a scene, the acting of lead man David Threlfall was inspirational and managed to keep the audience engaged.

Humour was evident at times, with a tongue-in-cheek impersonation of Tony Blair. But, for most of the play, which lasted well over two hours, the scenes were very surreal and it was often hard to draw a line between reality and fantasy.

The production was well-suited to the imposing stage of the Royal Exchange and good use was made of the circular stage.There were few props and no scenery.

But the play gripped the audience, who gave a resounding ovation at the end. However, for most people, I suspect, any hidden meaning behind this deepest of plays stayed well and truly buried. LOUISE TANSEY

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.