William Wordsworth, Theatre by the Lake, Keswick

WILLIAM Wordsworth and the Lake District naturally going together - and what better place to host the World Premiere of the new play about the English poet, William Wordsworth than Theatre by the Lake in Keswick.

The set and choreography between the scenes is enchanting, giving a sense of space, time and movement which is reinforced by the tableau style to the opening to several scenes. The characters in place like a classic painting of the 1800s, then instantly moved into the heart of the action. The style is modern yet rooted in the images of art from this period.

While the play, written by Nicholas Pierpan is called William Wordsworth, it could quite easily have been entitled Wordsworth and Coleridge. It tells the story of their friendship and failings - with the arbitration scene in London very reminiscent of a modern day Jeremy Kyle show. Coleridge, who today may have been diagnosed with bi-polar and described as a self-medicator with alcohol and drugs, is the loose cannon in the relationship. Wordsworth is the stable, reliable father figure to his friend.

Daniel Abelson as Coleridge is like a firework explosion on the stage, colourful, mesmerising yet filling you with fear, as he dances along the moving tables, makings his proclamations and verbal attacks on Lord Lonsdale.

Terence Wilton as Lonsdale portrays the aristocrat perfectly. However, the closing scene leaves the last words to the women in his life and felt a little anti-climactic - though it left me wanting to know more about this Lakeland poet.

This is a beautifully stylised production, with a fresh new feel for Theatre by the Lake.

Karen Morley-Chesworth

William Wordsworth runs in the Main House, Theatre by the Lake, until Saturday, April 22.

Box office on 017687-74411