THE idea for The Shakespeare Revue came about on Shakespeare’s birthday - April 23 - back in 1993, when the Royal Shakespeare Company was planning a celebratory service in Stratford’s Holy Trinity Church.

The compilers of the show, Christopher Luscombe and Malcolm McKee, were reminded of just how many comic writers have used Shakespeare as raw material for their work.

What emerged is what will be seen by Newport Playgoers Society’s members and visitors from November 15 to 18 at the Dolman Theatre, Newport.

It represents the development of revue itself from Music Hall (The Music Hall Shakespeare and The Night I Appeared As Macbeth) through the 20s and 30s (If You Go Down To The Vault Tonight, Which Witch? The Shakespearean Rag, Let’s Do It) 40s: (Brush Up Your Shakespeare) 50s: (Wherefore Art Thou Juliet?, Give Us A Rest) 60s: The Man Who Speaks In Anagrams, So That’s The Way You Like It, Cravin’ for The Avon) up to more modern offerings from the likes of Monty Python, Dillie Kean, Stephen Sondheim, Drewe & Stiles, Victoria Wood and Ronald Harwood (The Dresser).

In other words, something for everyone.

The producers Steve and Chris Bissex-Williams give you a sparkling anthology of songs and sketches inspired by William Shakespeare and including material by Alan Bennett, Noel Coward, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Maureen Lipman, Derek Nimmo, Cole Porter, Ned Sherrin and Sandy Wilson.

For more information and tickets go to www.dolmantheatre.co.uk/.