WITH the kind of enthusiasm for this sceptred Isle that I suspect could probably only be mustered by a Canadian, Adam D. Millard is telling me what a great time he had in Chipping Norton.

Adam, you see, only recently left the home of the prairies for a tour of duty in the UK with those jolly theatrical japesters the Reduced Shakespeare Company, who just happen to be playing the Bournemouth Pavilion tomorrow.

After a short stint at The Criterion Theatre in London, Adam was despatched out on the road touring the provinces with the RSC's signature production The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged).

This, of course, is their hugely popular take on the work of England's most famous playwright - every single one of Shakespeare's plays in just 97 minutes.

In between their bizarre and breakneck readings of the Bard's brilliance they have had plenty of opportunity to experience all the eccentricities that England (rural and urban) has to offer.

Which doesn't really explain young Mr Millard's fascination with Chipping Norton.

What does is the fact that it was in that very town that The Reduced Shakespeare trio found themselves staying in a hotel once owned by legendary Who drummer Keith Moon.

The late Mr Moon and hotels, of course, were a combustible mix and when we spoke, the young Canadian was still wide-eyed from the tales he had heard. Did he chuck a TV out of the window for old times' sake? I asked.

"Oh no, nothing like that," he replied.

Of course! These Reduced Shakespeare types are nice, well brought-up fellows who probably wouldn't even throw a TV magazine on the floor in anger.

Their anarchic behaviour is confined to their on-stage antics where, once in the grip of Shakespeare's wondrous plays, it seems anything goes.

They rely, of course, on a certain degree of audience participation.

But how do they choose the right people, those who will give value for money?

"Well," said Adam. "We definitely try not to pick anyone who might have an English degree."

"Aha," I replied, "so you go for people who look stupid?"

"Well, not really," said Adam, sounding just a little worried about the direction our conversation was taking. "They have to be able to follow direction," he replies.

Practical people, he decides. That's what they're looking for.

So there you have it. If you want to enjoy tomorrow night's Reduced Shakespeare performance you risk being called up on stage simply to look thick and inept.

Having said that, the company is definitely on the look-out for students.

In fact students are being offered a £4 discount on the full £14 ticket price. For bookings and further information call 0870 111 3000.