It was a Yorkshire theatre company performing at a York venue.
But apparently these clues were not enough to prepare one member of the audience to the shocking truth – the actors had Yorkshire accents.
And when they discovered this grisly secret, they made a swift exit – much to the astonished amusement of Tom Bird.
Tom is the chief executive of York Theatre Royal, where the drama happened.
It came during a performance of Shakespeare comedy As You Like It, staged by the award-winning Northern Broadsides theatre company.
Tom tweeted:
We’ve got a complaint this morning at York Theatre Royal from someone who left after an hour of Northern Broadsides’ As You Like It last week, because it had ‘Yorkshire accents in it.
That’s Yorkshire accents, right here in Yorkshire.
They want a refund.
He replied to someone who asked if the customer got their money back – “No chance”.
Northern Broadsides is nationally acclaimed for its bold and diverse shows. Based in Halifax, the company says on its website: “Using regional Northern voices, from Newcastle to Liverpool, makes our performances engaging and immediate, allowing audiences to hear and appreciate the words like never before.”
Tom’s tweet was greeted with incredulity. Playwright Jayne Venables said: “What accent does this person recommend to ‘celebrate northern voices’?
[tptn_list limit=3 daily=1 hour_range=1]
“Maybe a response in cockney rhyming slang? Yer avin a Giraffe pal.I don’t Adam and Eve it! Here’s yer Bangers and Mash. Now Ball and Chalk!”
Dancing With Goths replied: “But that’s one of the wonderful things about Northern Broadsides. Making Shakespeare sound like real world conversation, not 1950s RP.”
As for Northern Broadsides? They said: “If anyone wants to see these REPULSIVE Northern accents on stage, we’re touring until July. Bring a sick bucket.”