If you think Shakespeare is boring, pop along to the Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch, and get your senses blasted out by the Bard in blue jeans.

From a Jack to a King is an adaptation of the Scottish Play (Macbeth) by the theatre's Artistic Director, Bob Carlton played out in front of a thumping rock and roll theme from Jimmy Hendrix to leader of the pack from the Shangri Las.

It just does not stop, even when double double toil and trouble hag-bags start stirring the firmament. But you cannot blink as Mr Carlton has let his wicked sense of humour loose by paraphrasing just about every notable Shakespearean saying learned by rote by youngsters over the past four hundred years.

Such as poor Romeo's 'But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?' is over turned to reflect the rock singer 'But soft, what noise from yonder tonsils break?' and then the rock and roller 'Is this a spanner I see before me.' Instead of Macbeth's 'dagger'. You get the picture.

The essential ingredient for such a show features the Billet lane's unique professional company of actor/musicians, Cut to the Chase.

For those familiar with the Scottish Play, Macbeth the loser, brought out a superb all round performance from Philip Reed. A master guitarist and a rich and full actor. Since watching Phil quite some years ago in Bob Carlton's other award winning play, Return to the Forbidden Planet where he played the spaceships cook, appropriately named Cookie, he used a guitar with all the panache of Jimi Hendrix. And so we were treated to another master class in guitar and all round acting. on this night.

He was matched by another guitar magician, Jonathan Markwood, another superb all round actor/musician, who played the 'King', appropriately called Terry King. With these two on stage complimenting each other with the electric guitar is something to see and remember. Johathan is bringing his own band, the Hoo-hah conspiracy to the Queen's on Sunday November 25 and well worth a visit.

For the castle, read Wembley Stadium where the 'King's' agent, Duke Box had secured his first gig. Unfortunately 'Terry' meets an accident on his motorbike on the way which brings all the actor/museos out on stage for 'Leader of the Pack'. Don't worry, it gets even better.

Duke Box is in the capable hands of veteran actor, Stuart Organ, with his staring role in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Still being talked of in glowing terms. He is perfect for the role and like George in 'Woolf' makes it his own. He is also a brilliant drummer believe it or not.

His beautiful assistant, Maria Lawson, named Laura, yes you guessed it 'Tell Laura I love her' is not too far away. Is one of those great cameo roles that Maria excels in and adding richly to her public CV, with a singing voice to die for, and one that I have not heard before.

A real 'find' materialised in Queenie. Hayley J Langwith made her debut wearing very un-queenly clothing, unless you were talking about the pop group that is. This queen showed her stocking tops straight away at Terry, the king, and when he met with his leader of the pack demise, quickly turned her attention to Eric. Hayley is another one with a superb voice, plays a mean trumpet to boot and has a presence that assures you know when she is on stage.

It seems to me that in every play at the Queen's, they seem to reserve a role for a chosen one. A part that can be quite small, or even huge, but one that gives the impression it is so far off the wall, to have anything to do with the play, but is essential. It takes a special actor to hold an audience and the theatre is fortunate to have Simon Jessop.

He played Joe MacDuff as a Humphrey Bogart style Sam Spade, and it was superb. As soon as he came onto stage that was it. Every entrance in darkness, the match flaring into life lighting the cigarette and throwing away the match. He came on so many times, he seemed to build up a veritable mountain of discarded matches, and for a man who had recently given up smoking, it was apparently a bit of challenge, but what a performance. For those who saw him in Neville's Island, you will know what I mean.

OK I have saved the hag-bags until almost last, for if ever there was a mis match in a role, then these three witches were it. Two of the most talented and funniest young women to take the Hornchurch stage got their teeth into the hags. Jane Milligan and Wendy Parkin along with Steve Simmonds were brilliant. Belying the make up, the singing, musicianship and acting brought out all the funny and nasty bits of being a rotten witch to the fore, and did they enjoy it. It was a sight to see.

But any play relies on a superb back room and with music under the watch of Carol Sloman, a really good set from Mark Walters and choreography from Liz Marsh; it added a cherry to the pie. And this believe me this was some pie. The auditorium does not often come alive as much as this.

And in the conclusion, the genius of director Matt Devitt. Whether he is behind the scenes or holding the stage, this man has so much talent, it's not fair. As associate director, Matt and Bob Carlton present a formidable team and long may it continue.

Superb show and something for everyone, be it Shakespeare, pure rock and roll, acting or musicianship, it's all there in this quality production.

From a Jack to a King runs until Saturday September 15 with tickets from £14.50 to £24.50 from the box office on 01708 443333.

Barry Kirk

Barking and Dagenham Post - 5th September 2007