He came, he saw, he conquered most of central Asia, but the 14th-century warrior Tamburlaine didn't conquer me in this two-hour adaptation of Christopher Marlowe's epic. It is Tamburlaine, but it is not great. It is a pity, because Ben Power's intelligent adaptation and Ben Naylor's simple yet sinewy production have much to recommend them. The smell of incense wafts across the playing space, Jon Boden's music has a mesmerising snake-charming quality and the staging is full of invention.
But the venue, which should be part of the appeal of this production by new, young, classical company Cannon's Mouth, scuppers it. This Tamburlaine is being performed at the Rose Theatre, Bankside's first theatre, built by Philip Henslowe in 1587 and where many of the plays of Shakespeare and Marlowe - including Tamburlaine - were a major part of the repertoire. The production is billed as the first full performance on the site since the theatre closed 400 years ago, but because the site is being excavated, the production actually takes place on the viewing platform. This space lacks depth and makes it hard for the audience to see.
At least the company's presence is raising the profile of the Rose, which is still desperately in need of funds for further excavation. Cannon's Mouth is a young ensemble of promise: they can tell a story and, although the actors sometimes do rather strange things with their hands, the verse speaking is exceptional despite their inexperience. Khalid Abdalla is a charismatic Tamburlaine, so corrupted by power and violence that he sacrifices his own son. With a more forgiving play and venue, Cannon's Mouth could go far.
· Until Sunday. Box office: 020-7593 0026.
