SHAKESPEARE’S last and rarely performed play The Two Noble Kinsmen has never been critically acclaimed and is often seen as being quite forgettable.

However, this was not the case with Just Enough’s production at the Ustinov Theatre in Bath last week.

The Two Noble Kinsmen was selected by the RSC for their outdoor theatre in Stratford Upon Avon this summer and played two preview performances at the Ustinov.

It was never going to be an easy production to perform as it was co-written by Shakespeare’s contemporary John Fletcher.

But having used a condensed script, lasting only an hour and a half, and combing it with live period music and inventive movement and dance sections director John East brought it to life.

His skills as a director were evident, using an all-black minimalist set and three stepladders as the key props.

The script, however, was quite confusing but the focus of the production was in the acting, which was its biggest strength - particularly those of Matthew Harrison-James and Zach Lipman, playing the kinsmen Palamon and Arcite.

It is a story of two cousins whose friendship is destroyed when they fall in love with the same woman.

Imprisoned by Theseus, Duke of Athens, they soon resolve themselves to life as prisoners, but all is forgotten when they spot Princess Emilia and declare their undying love for her.

Arcite is ransomed and allowed to leave Athens but sneaks back in disguise to pursue Emilia and Palamon is released by the jailer's 15-year-old daughter - admirably played by Phoebe Kemp - who wants him for herself.

But Palamon ditches her and slips away a fugitive determined to make Emilia his own.

Just Enough’s production was a sell-out on both nights at the Ustinov, with people waiting at the door in case there were any spare seats.

It was due to move on to the Dell open-air theatre in Stratford for the following two nights and there had been talk that it could move on to the West End. Let us hope it does.