The cast of Measure for Measure in rehearsals

First came the river, then the prison, the Mini factory, a Belgian mirrored tent and Robert Maxwell's old place, but now Creation has surpassed itself by using an old Victorian swimming pool as the location for its next Shakespearian showpiece.

For those of you not in the know, The North Wall Theatre in North Oxford used to be St Edward's School's indoor swimming pool, but as of last year, it was converted into an open-plan balconied theatre which the bard himself would have been proud of.

Measure For Measure, one of Shake- speare's less frequently performed plays, opens on Wednesday - when lust and desire combine in a dramatic tale of justice, retribution and mercy in this dark comedy.

But how did the two factors come together? North Wall manager Nick Quartley said: "We invited Creation's David Parrish over to have a look because we knew how much he liked unusual spaces, and once he sees a possibility he grabs it with both hands.

"He certainly liked what he saw here. The North Wall comes without any of the usual problems associated with Creation's theatre venues because it's well equipped and well as having great acoustics."

David agrees: "I usually avoid theatres, but it's such an unusual space we had to go for it and make this an exception."

The pairing up is, of course, mutually advantageous to both parties, David bringing his vast audience numbers (13,000 of us saw Brothers Grimm) to a little known venue, and with a new Shakespearian title to act out, the results should be dynamite.

"It's such a great play that the actors have been queueing up to get involved," David says, "and the key pivotal scenes really are electric."

So why is it relatively unknown?

"I think you have to ask the examining boards that," David continues, "they seem to be the ones that decide which plays make it.

"The classics like Romeo & Juliet and Macbeth are easier to understand, which may appeal more to schoolchildren and teenagers, but Measure For Measure resonates with the young as well.

"We were comparing it to Indecent Proposal in the office the other day."

And with Creation about to launch their biggest summer ever, with four plays on the go, a new charity status and bigger premises, David Parrish shows no signs of slowing down.

"I may be a weathered 40, but Creation has lots of fresh dynamic people working for it and I'm the old one steering them in the right direction," he laughs.

Call 01865 766266 or see www.creationtheatre.co.uk The North Wall website opened yesterday at www.thenorthwall.com

5:30pm Thursday 13th March 2008

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