THE curtain-raiser for the Newcastle season had already snared a name for itself with artistic director Michael Boyd’s decision to include a dead rabbit being skinned for the pot at the opening of the second half.

So was there mass hysteria and disaffection with this cruel portrayal of Bugs Bunny’s nearest and dearest being sliced and diced? To be honest, the great and the good of the grand circle were so busy discussing the events of the interval that few seemed to notice Corin’s (Geoffrey Fishwater) display of country skills which rankled the court refined gentility of Touchstone (the gregarious Richard Katz).

Far more impact came from fight director Terry King’s superbly choreographed early dust-up, as Orlando (Jonjo O’Neill) bested wrestling champion Charles (David Carr).

His heroics launch the central plot of Orlando’s long distance love affair with Rosalind (Katy Stephens). Both actors enjoy the banter as Rosalind, disguised as youth Ganymede, invites Orlando to pretend he is wooing Rosalind.

Any flames of passion are extinguished against a production full to bursting with song and dance.

Forbes Masson steals the show as the melancholic guitar-playing Jacques, by displaying a fine singing voice verging on As You Like It: The Rock Opera.

A set of whitewashed wood, full of trapdoors (one revealing a barbecue), detachable panels and swinging doors, keeps track between events at the court of Duke Frederick (Sandy Neilson) and the banished-to-the-Forest-of- Arden life of Duke Ferdinand (Clarence Smith).

As I raced for the alarmingly early last train from Newcastle at 10.44pm, I’m afraid my thoughts were more of exits than entrances (new East Coast Main Line franchise holder please note).

Runs until Saturday. Box Office: 08448-112-121