An extraordinary venue for an extraordinary show - St Michael at the Northgate is playing host to Creation Theatre Company's one-man tour deforce based around Shakespearian characters. And what good use the company makes of this lovely and unusual building, whose 11th-century tower graces the heart of the city in Cornmarket. Hiding in the pulpit, running up galleries, jumping on to a pew to give us Henry V's Agincourt address, Tom Peters thrills us with an exceptional performance.

The show defied my expectations because this is not simply a trawl through Shakespeare's best bits' but something much more unexpected and interesting. Devised by the actor with director Heather Davies, Peters plays a man who has unidentified problems with his wife. There are hints of possible infidelity, redemption, and complicated relationships throughout as he seeks to use Shakespeare's understanding of human nature to find some resolution to life's contradictions. In doing so he presents a feast of characters - but not all the most obvious ones - there are some excellent pieces from Cymbeline, Titus Andronicus and Pericles for instance. When we do have excerpts from the big ones', Richard III, Henry V or Romeo and Juliet, again they have not been chosen for their familiarity but rather because they are interesting - showing us the many facets of a character we often polarise as either good or bad. In Tom Peters we have a performer of extraordinary gifts. His voice is incredible and his athleticism powerful. His characterisations crossed many ages and both genders without ever missing a note. His speech as the passionate Juliet waiting for her new husband to come and make her his true wife was perfectly delivered - in contrast, his performance as the sleazy Iachimo from Cymbeline had us all in sniggering with laughter - while his Falstaff was so very touching.

He also sang and played beautiful musical interludes on his guitar, which framed the show very well. Actually the whole event is expertly put together; it is a real work of love from both Davies and Peters. I brought a friend who was not particularly familiar with the Shakespeare canon and am pleased to report he thought that it was very enjoyable and a scholar's knowledge of the text was not at all necessary to enjoy this as a stand alone piece. I agree and would warmly recommend a visit.