At the risk of offending every segment of society I admit to no great love for Shakespeare's dramas, nor do I particularly like Leonardo De Caprio's acting. I do however appreciate a good story and a fine talent. This being the case, I declare Baxter's pictorial rendition of the ill-fated lovers in the title of this exhibition more colourful than Will's words and more interesting than Leo's interpretation of them.

Baxter illustrates selected quotes from this famous play, picking up on the underlying sensuality that lurks beneath the words. His line is as firm and strong as the young bodies they illustrate and his colours are as warm and bright as their youthful dreams. He even captures the pendulum swing of emotions, from carefree joy to total despair, experienced by the adolescent.

His acrylic paintings are the most satisfying for their glow of hue, interest of surface texture and use of gold leaf (sparingly) to punctuate a mood. The figures have a life of their own, even in repose and the faces of the main characters are simply drawn yet able to express emotion with the slightest touch of colour or shift of line.

Large drawings of pastel on what appears to be ink washed paper, are equally powerful as one is sure they are produced by grand arm movements that are well controlled by a practised eye. Quite the opposite are small 'studies' in pen and ink which are a delight. It is interesting to see these 'research design studies' as they create bridges for the non initiated to connect the written word to the artist's interpretation to the visual image to the finished picture. They are also splendid drawings in their own right.

Even the catalogue that lists the exhibits - designed and drawn by the artist - is a work of art.  A highly enjoyable show.