THE press night came with the longest interval ever but no complaints. One hour and ten minutes were given over to a half-time fish supper, haddock rather than cod in a foretaste of the show's competitive finale, served by the splendidly resourceful staff of the Wetherby Whaler chippie on York Business Park last Thursday.

West Yorkshire travelling troupe Mikron Theatre will be on rather different York turf next Tuesday, back at their regular pitching post, the Scarcroft Allotment Free Open Air Theatre, where you can bring a picnic, not fish and chips, but maybe wrapped in newspaper in the spirit of the play, plus the obligatory British weather defence armoury of blankets, fold-up chairs, waterproofs, wellies and tea flasks.

One Of Each, named after the Yorkshire order for fish and chips, is the fourth – and, she says, "last for a while" – Deborah McAndrew commission for the Marsden company, a play on a plate in which something fishy this way comes.

Namely, the hoodie-wearing Howard Hughes of our age, Sir Caspian Delamere (James Mclean), a wealthy recluse with an aversion to baths, who has suddenly re-emerged to launch a thousand chips, or rather, the race for the Golden Fish Fork.

His mission to find the finest fish and chips in Britain has narrowed to two finalists: by coincidence or maybe not, the rival establishments run by warring twins Roderick and Annette Whale (another case of one of each). Rod (Steve McCourt) favours haddock and homely beef-dripping; Nettie (Ellen Chivers) prefers cod, oil and a scientific modern twist. A kind of Rick Stein versus Hester Blumenthal!

In this salty tale of storms at sea, tartare saucy secrets and sibling rivalry, a persistent Welsh hack (the outstanding Rachael Henley) is determined to uncover the truth behind Delamere's odd behaviour.

Assorted characters of equally assorted nationalities wend their way into the story, part drama, part potted history of the potato and fish frying, performed with vim, vigour and a splash of vinegar by a dexterous cast that handles multiple roles, musical instruments and witty sea shanties with elan.

Chris Honer's direction is as crisp as batter; McAndrew's writing is typically clever, humorous and engaging, full of facts and friction, fish and quips, and for those with their minds on this week's York International Shakespeare Festival, she serves up plenty of parallels with the Bard.

As well as the chip-wrecked, rather than shipwrecked, separated twins, for example, you can spot the Macbeth midnight hags in the foreboding figures of the three fishwives.

It must be hoped McAndrew goes back on her decision to take a break from writing for Mikron; each educational, ecological and in this case edible drama has surpassed the last.

Meanwhile, look out for Mikron's return to York with Raising Agents, 100 Years Of The Women's Institute, at Clements Hall, Nunthorpe Road, on September 20 at 4pm.

One Of Each, Mikron Theatre Company, on tour on land, river and canal until October 22, including Scarcroft Allotments, York, May 19, 7pm. Tickets: just turn up, no charge, but cash collection for Mikron.

 

NEWSFISH

HOT off the press:  Fish and chips al fresco can be ordered for Mikron's fishy tale One Of Each at Scarcroft Allotments Open Air Theatre on Tuesday.

Event co-ordinator Willy Hoedeman has made arrangements to provide an alternative to the usual picnic fare. "Apart from a feast for ears and eyes, Tuesday evening can be a tasty fishy feast for the audience too," he says.

"I am arranging for fish'n'chip dinners to be delivered before the show at quarter to seven, and at the interval too. In hot boxes by Harpers Famous Fish and Chips.....but I'd like to take your order now. Just text 'Fish' to me on 0797 486 7301."