UNDER Milk Wood is such a perfect vehicle for the company of actors at the Mercury Theatre, it’s a surprise they haven’t performed before.

With more than 40 characters played by nine actors, it shows just how good the acting talent is at the Colchester theatre.

Not only do they need to be good actors, they need to be quick on their toes for this production, exiting left and appearing right, going out of one door and coming back through another, and at breakneck speed.

One of the most impressive was Roger Delves Broughton, appearing on top of the set as Captian Cat and then seconds later, with a change of clothes as well, entering from the side in a pram. Clare Humphrey’s Mae Rose-Cottage, disappearing down the back of a sofa, also has to be seen to be believed.

Detailing a day and a night in the lives of the inhabitants of a Welsh fishing village, Under Milk Wood is Dylan Thomas’s celebration of a community and the wonderful characters in it.

There are plenty of delights to choose from, with Ignatius Anthony getting the pick of them in Noggod Boyo, the man who wants to poison his wife, Mr Pugh and Butcher Beynon.

In fact, it was his butcher who reminded me a little of the one in a League of Gentlemen, except not quite as dark. Under Milk Wood is actually more whimsical Fast Show than League of Gentleman or Little Britain, but with a sketch-like format firing characters at you left, right and centre, you could liken it to all three.

Although bristling with lyrical wit and bawdy humour, some of the best moments were the poignant ones, such as Polly Garter singing about her one true love and Captain Cat talking to his dead friends.

The latter was particularly breathtaking, with the windows of the pub lit up in a luminescent blue, revealing the shadows of the actors as they recalled their time with the good captain.

It is another triumph from designer Sara Perks, who delivered a super spectacle with the pub in this production.

Under Milk Wood, Mercury Theatre, Colchester. Until May 10. 01206 573948