The feisty but lowly Helena falls in love with Bertram, a haughty count. To gain his hand she is set a string of impossible tasks.

Even if accomplished, they can hardly guarantee his love. He refuses to bed her and yet says he’ll only be hers if she bears his child; and he lusts after another. Nevertheless, our heroine, whether wisely or no, refuses to give him up.

War is no strife
To the dark house and the detested wife.

Set against a background of sexism, snobbery and a battle between the generations, Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well turns fairytale logic on its head. A wondrous, bittersweet story.

I knew the count to be a dangerous and lascivious boy, who is a whale to virginity, and devours up all the fry it finds.