I must confess I am getting a little tired of directors who think they are being trendy by setting productions in modern dress.

The latest victim of this treatment is Robert Bolt's powerful play A Man For All Seasons.

Director Tony Edwards makes a gesture towards the period by way of a tunic here and a chain of office there but only the Cardinal wears full costume.

Nevertheless, Bolt's strong script shone through in this story, drawn from history, of Sir Thomas More's dispute with King Henry VIII concerning his divorce from Catherine of Aragon and his marriage to Anne Boleyn.

Michael Wells gives an accomplished performance in the central character but I had hoped for a little more colour in his portrayal. I particularly liked Peter Jukes as the repellent and devious Cromwell and also Harry Atkinson in the cameo part of Cardinal Wolsey.

Des Potton as the king dominated his scenes with his large stature and powerful voice.

Edward Wickham coped manfully with the part of the Common Man through a number of transformations from the Moors' steward to the jailer, which also required him to act as narrator.

The whole cast gave competent performances and provided the audience with an absorbing entertainment on the first night of the Festival.

Peter Bailey
Brighton Little Theatre,Clarence Gardens, Brighton,until May 12