Aspiring actors are urged to brush up their Shakespeare to win a part in Midsummer Night's Dream at an open audition this weekend.
Shakespeare Live has moved to the gracious country home that once belonged to Clive and Vanessa Bell of the Bloomsbury group so auditions for their next open air show take place at Cleeve House in the village of Seend on Sunday, January 15.
The group's chairman, Rod Moor-Bardell, will be directing the popular comedy.
Gill Morrell from Shakespeare Live said: "Rod has set the play in pre-Christian Greece in the woods surrounding Athens and the production will include songs, dance, Athenian and Amazonian armies, elven wood nymphs and a group of grumpy old men.''
The auditions run from 10am to 4pm.
Shakespeare Live is marking its 30th year of large-scale outdoor performances of the Bard's plays in Wiltshire. They began in the gardens of Hazelbury Manor in 1989, performing there for 22 years, before moving to Lackham House near Lacock and now they are settling in to the grounds of Cleeve House.
In the early days the company was a group of experienced actors whose aim was to raise amateur Shakespeare to professional levels. Over the years they have welcomed new actors of all ages and are today are still keen to involve young people in their productions.
This year the company will be working closely with the FitzGraham Academy of Dance in Chippenham.
Rod said: "I am very excited at the opportunity of creating something visually magical with high calibre dancers working alongside our actors.''
Midsummer Night's Dream runs from July 3 to 8 at Cleeve House and the audience will be invited to picnic on the lawn before the show. On gala night there will be musicians entertaining the crowds. Whatever the weather the audience can watch the play from a tiered-seating, covered stand and there are outdoor food, drink and merchandise stalls to make it a memorable mid summer evening. Shakespeare Live is a registered charity raising funds for local good causes. Over the years the thespians have raised more than £50,000 for charity.
To audition turn up on the day or contact shakespearelive@outlook.com or visit www.shakespearelive.com - Flicky Harrison
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