JUST how much we lost in the death of Poet Laureate ted Hughes is forcefully clear in this stunning production.

The ancient Greek play of a woman's self-sacrifice for her husband's life is brought vigorously to life by Hughes' muscular, driving script.

The action is driven along by vivid imagery, powerful story-telling and sheer high humour - all wonderfully brought to life by Barrie Rutter and his talented cast.

As well as directing Alcestis, Barrie Rutter plays the key role of Apollo, setting the scene and the mood of passionate eloquence ably picked up by all the actors.

David Hounslow is a terrifying Death come to claim his victim after Admetos' fatal pact and then becomes a hugely entertaining, swaggering Heracles complete with roistering musicians..

Fierce fury and guilty despair are key elements in Andrew Cryer's Admetos, matched by the tender resignation of Alcestis (Joanne Thirsk) whose pending death is lamented heart-breakingly by her maid, Sarah Parks and the Chorus Andrew Vincent, David Beckford and Andrew Whitehead.

But it is Hughes' text which towers overall - as Rutter says: "A fitting lap of honour for a glorious champion of poetry, a glorious man." LG