Sir John Falstaff is, as has been said of his creator, not of an age, but for all time. The bibulous knight, with his unrestrained appetite for the gross human pleasures, touches many chords in us, some sounding notes of disapproval, but always with an undertone of empathy, if not sympathy.

He is not at his best in The Merry Wives Of Windsor, which is on an Irish tour by the Northern Broadsides Theatre Company from England. Here he is a sponger, a drunk, a lecher and a pander; but, and this is the mystery, he remains the essence of that contradictory creature the lovable rogue and the handsome man gets the girl.

The talents of this company are a joy to behold. As an ensemble, they glide around and glance off each other verbally and physically with consummate skill. Comedy is their business here, and they are terrific at it. What seemed at the start to be an exercise in reach-me-down Shakespeare soon turned into a prolonged romp with a devised and hilarious finish.

Two performances will have to stand for all. Barrie Rutter dominates as a booming, big-bellied Falstaff and Geoffrey Leesley's Frank Ford is a comic masterpiece both rocks around which the sparkling currents of their peers swirl merrily. The Bard has seldom been more accessible.

The final performance is tomorrow at 8 p.m., with King John today at 8 p.m. and tomorrow touring (bookings on 01-8852622)