AS theatrical Shakespearean experiences go this has to be the most bizarre. A distracting device that bore no relation to the plot, was the centrepiece.

A small puddle that grows into a lake in the middle of someone's house! Every single actor and most of the first row got soaking wet. Whilst it was funny, it was also nonsensically gimmicky.

Cheap laughs though couldn't disguise some of the actors' insecurity with the dialogue.

The scenery at the Exchange often gets a round of applause, but sending actors offstage two storeys up is time wasting and made the production dip.

The costume designer couldn't decide which period it was set in. It was all too quirky and showy.

The lesser characters carried the show. Richard O'Callagan as Sir Toby was marvellous and Jonathan Bond as Aguecheek was a riot. Their 'Trinny and Susannah' moments are achingly funny.

Ellen Thomas was brilliant as Maria.

Some of the accents were unintelligible and although the singing of Anthony Barclay as Feste was exceptional, his spoken words weren't.

I found the pace uneven. This production is annoyingly odd although it has wonderful moments, which are truly innovative.

Twelfth Night, at the Royal Exchange, Manchester, until October 25