John Murray gives the performance of his life in this epic tragedy, his phrasing and delivery obviously influenced by Olivier.

Trapped in his malignant stare, we became party to his reign of terror, even laughing at his ironic asides.

A superb performance from this fine actor, hobbling with demented speed on his crutches, winding persuasively around his victims, his web of deceit ensnaring them. Trailing his tapering black Act II cloak, he resembled an evil slug.

From the elegant Duke of Buckingham to witch-like Queen Margaret, the unrelenting horror unfolds – women mere pawns in the struggle for power. Regal Lady

Anne doesn't appear vulnerable initially, but her defiance swiftly crumbles. Only Anne Blanch- flower's Queen Elizabeth dares to confront the megalomaniac with a list of his victims, faced with sacrificing her daughter to him, still mourning her dead sons, but even she finally capitulates almost as an aside.

Tolethorpe Youth Theatre gave an impressive performance, with students Oliver Jones and Jemma Cook playing the young princes, and it was no mean feat to project their voices to the back stalls from the open-air stage.

Designer Carlton's forbidding stage-set of two massive doors set in high castle walls slide silently apart between scenes, revealing courtyard, prison or battlefield, all enhanced by excellent lighting. The one jarring factor was the UV-lit ghost sequence. How- ever, this was preview night –

directors Jean Harley and Maggie Porter will doubtless hone performances and effects.

The exciting Battle of Bosworth, in swirling smoke against a back- drop of dark woodland, is the final gripping scene in Shakespeare's twisted history. Doubtless his patron Elizabeth I was delighted, for the "venomous toad" Richard lII lies dead, and Andrew Rakowski's wholesome virtuous Tudor king, Henry VII, stands triumphant.

Impressed but exhausted, Tolethorpe's audience breathed an almost audible sigh of relief.

The show runs until Friday (July 11), also Monday, July 21 to 26, Saturday, August 25 to 30.

Call the box 0ffice 01780 756133/01780 763203 or visit www.stamfordshakespeare.co.uk/plays.htm.

By Ann Johnson

8 out of 10