The year is 1517. Dr Faustus, professor of philosophy, and Martin Luther, professor of theology are rival academics based at Wittenberg University, where young Prince Hamlet is studying. Faustus and Luther both attempt to influence the young student and bicker over their principles in the friendly local tavern, the Bunghole. In between the intellectual debates Faustus freely dispenses homespun wisdom and medicine. A fan of women and wine, Faustus also has a weekly gig where he sings the blues away – a favourite ditty is aptly Que Sera, Sera.
Through humour, Davalos's witty drama explores weighty subjects – faith, free will, philosophy versus religion, with a dash of psychotherapy thrown in. It's a clever choice to have the great prevaricator, Hamlet, as the student whose heart both professors want to win. Hamlet is a keen tennis player (he arrives on stage with a Prince racquet) but finds it harder to make up his mind about which subject to study and what doctrines to follow.
Wittenberg may not have many particularly insightful points to make about these issues, but it's all good, clean fun. There are plenty of literary references to spot, some jocular rewriting of Hamlet's lines, and playful digs at academia.
Much of the success of Christopher Haydon's inventive production lies in the well-judged balance between comedy and gravitas and two terrific central performances. Sean Campion, all twinkle-eyed charm, plays Faustus with spirited intelligence and Andrew Frame is equally good as the hollow-eyed, German priest whose moral dignity contrasts with his erratic bowel movements. Edward Franklin also impresses as the dithering Danish prince.
Oliver Townsend's detailed set is a joy, recreating both hallowed and hedonistic institutions with ingeniously concealed hatches and trapdoors, as well as serving as a tennis court and a grave.
