Would it be Jew-baiting or wife-berating? Neither for Tuesday’s audience in the stunning setting of the Bodleian Quadrangle, which instead opted for pomposity-pricking in the downfall of the stuck-up steward Malvolio, he of the cross-gartered yellow stockings.

Twelfth Night took preference, then, in the nightly bid-for-the-Bard contest organised by Shakespeare’s Globe on Tour during its eagerly awaited annual visit to Oxford.

So ta-ta tonight to the Shylock-shafting Merchant of Venice and The Taming of the Shrew with its nasty line in misogyny – both rehearsed, ready-to-go and performed on other nights, should the audience vote to watch them.

Welcome instead to a gloriously funny, brilliantly staged cross-dressing extravaganza in which – simply put – a heroine impersonating a man (and here played by one) gets to wed a man played by a woman, as indeed is her brother.

Geddit? Perhaps not, but audiences do.

Twelfth Night, a play celebrating sexual and other confusions, is ideal for the sort of gender, colour and age-blind presentation it receives under Globe actor turned director Brendan O’Hea.

The pared-down production – truly a two-hour traffic of the stage – is impressive particularly for delivery of the lovely language. Steffan Cennydd’s Viola stands out in this respect in tender scenes with her employer Duke Orsino (Rhianna McGreevy) on whose behalf she (disguised as he) woos Olivia (Cynthia Emeagi), becoming in so doing the object of attraction herself.

With one of the funniest Sir Toby Belches I have seen from Russell Layton – masterly in his observation of the drunk in action – and a glorious turn from Sarah Finigan as his drippy side-kick Sir Andrew Aguecheek, the comic business is a hoot.

This, of course, includes the gulling of the strutting Malvolio (Colm Gormley), in which the serving wench Maria has a major role. She is played by the excellent Jacqueline Phillips, who successfully doubles as Viola’s brother Sebastian.

Luke Brady is marvellous as the clown Feste, delivering the plangent songs (composer Bill Barclay) superbly.

Shakespeare’s Globe is at the Bodleian till Sunday. oxfordplayhouse.com

5/5