Biblical festivities

Phil Willmott's festive annual Christmas shows for BAC became something of an annual institution. This year he is off the scene, and as though to separate themselves as far as possible from Willmott's distinctive seasonal style, artistic director Tom Morris and writer Carl Heap have chosen to stage something very different.

The epic, biblical sweep of Ben-Hur makes it a pertinent Christmas story if not an instantly recognisable one. Morris certainly finds elegantly simple answers to the challenges of staging it: a flying dove is conjured with a pair of white gloves worn variously by different cast members; the chariot race takes on the spirit of a school sports day to become the production's finest moment rather than its biggest problem.

This playfulness can muddle the complexities of the story and Morris struggles to reconcile the plot's occasional brutality with his production's pantomime complexion. What can't be faulted, though, is the attitude of the cast, who perform with gusto, in particular Rufus Jones as the villainous Messala. A few more carols wouldn't have gone amiss but, with the story itself a welcome historical context for Christianity's enduring legacy in the Middle East, audiences of all ages will find themselves rewarded.

Until Jan 18, BAC, 176 Lavender Hill SW11, Tue to Sat 7.30pm, Sun 5.30pm, 12.75, £8.50 concs (Tue pay what you can). Tel: 020 7223 2223. Rail: Clapham Junction