SHAKESPEARE… For some the name has very lofty connotations: the theatre, reaching new heights of literature and meaning. For others, the reality is rather more mundane – pouring over Othello at university, counting the casualties in Hamlet, and wishing Macbeth would bite it and quickly, hating every stilted minute of The Tempest.

The Shakespeare Revue caters to both, cramming over 50 years of Bard-related satire into just under two mirth-filled hours, relentlessly skewering the most ‘periphrastically’ pompous of his proponents. All of this is only made possible through the obvious talent of the performing quintet, each assuming a multitude of roles in the Music Hall inspired production. Lizzie Bea and Jordan Lee Davies especially dazzle, with their knack for comedy, powerhouse voices and pizazz.

Though a number of classics are touched upon by the Revue, some songs hit the funny bone harder than others. ‘Give Us A Rest’, the Sandy Wilson classic, is performed with deft comic timing and is a true testament to the wide influence of Shakespeare’s language.

Bundling in so many ditties, and on such a broad subject, has its downsides however. Although the cast have nothing even close to a down moment, some songs fail to hit the mark. Many references will bewilder spectators under the age of 60. This is a show in itself that isn't just nostalgic for the days of studying Shakespeare, but for the era of music halls and vaudeville in general.

Regardless, a few winking asides to the US elections and The Voice help to bring things back to the present, and the delight that comprises the majority of this show. With numbers penned by Fry and Laurie, Sondheim, Victoria Wood and more, it would be hard to go wrong. The Shakespeare Revue is the sweet, fun-filled revenge traumatised students have been seeking the nation over. And for those ready to give the Bard a fighting chance, it sheds a refreshing, if facetious light, on his work and enduring influence.

The Shakespeare Revue runs at the Theatre Royal Bath until Saturday.