REVIEW: The Winter's Tale, Theatre Royal, Bath. The reason Shakespeare's plays have survived the centuries is largely due to the richness and originality of his work.

The Bard always intended his masterpieces to be enjoyed by the masses, so he would have been proud of theatre group AandBC's interpretation of The Winter's Tale, which used audience members themselves to bring the work alive.

Inviting crowds of people on stage for the second half, the cast wove in and out of delighted onlookers as they acted out the play's conclusion.

If you shut your eyes, you could actually believe you were in the dreamy world of Bohemia, watching the developing love between spurned princess Perdita and shepherd-disguised prince Florizel.

Traditional dancing and live music lightened the play's heavy tone, with the second half promenade adding the icing to a rather glorious cake.

Craig Evry