My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier

Running at Windsor's Theatre Royal until Saturday, July 2.

The fourth play in the Theatre Royal's season of repertory productions takes us back to the world of well heeled young gentlemen, ladies in crinoline and obsequious servant.

One gentleman seated behind me in the theatre was heard to mutter 'I'm fed up already' within five minutes of My Cousin Rachel starting.

It did not help that the hero of the story is a spoilt brat, who would irritate the hell out of anyone.

But that said, Daphne du Maurier's story about an ambiguous Italian widow who bursts into his life casts a spell that gradually draws an audience in.

Watching her weave a charming spider's web around the story's hero Philip Ashley, his servants and his relatives is fascinating. But is she really an evil, scheming villainous responsible for the death of one (maybe two) husbands.

We are never really sure and when it is well performed, this is a story that cannot fail.

Versatile Jessica Kent is excellent as Rachel, exuding real charm but allowing exactly the right amount of sinister ambiguity to keep any audience intrigued.

She is a versatile actress. It is hard to believe she played neurotic Susannah in last week's Alan Ayckbourn play at the theatre - but that is what this repertory season is supposed to be about is not it?

Tim McFarland is lumbered with playing an overgrown child of a man - but that is the play's fault not his.

Other characters - assorted yokel servants, a wise old relative and the hero's heartsick young 'girlfriend' are all pretty cliched but well played by an excellent cast.

But it is the intriguing mystery of Rachel that makes this show work - not to mention a stunning set and fabulous costumes that add to her mysterious allure.