Swindon amateur actor Jake Lennox will be strutting his stuff as Ferdinand in an open air production of William Shakespeare's The Tempest this week.

This will be the 28th annual production by Shakespeare Live, who each year commandeer the beautiful grounds of Lackham House, Lacock to present original productions of The Bard's works.

Families can enjoy picnic on the lawn before the show, and then watch as the magical island of Prospero, Ariel and Caliban is brought to life.

The theatre company raise money for various charities through their Shakespearean enterprise and last year aided Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Theatre For Change and Swift Medics. Since its inception in 1989 Shakespeare Live has raised over £50,000 for charitable causes.

In this production of The Tempest there is an unusual amount of women as the director decided to cast an all female Greek chorus as Ariel to add an extra element to the romantic adventure which is set on a Greek island, many believe is Corfu.

The tale has all the right ingredients for a pot boiler of a show with a stock of storms causing a shipwreck, a tablespoon of magic, a sprinkling of philosophy, a teaspoon of pathos, a slice of romance and intrigue all topped off with an icing of comedy.

Shakespeare Live’s aspiration is to raise amateur Shakespeare to professional levels and last year The Taming of the Shrew was a true success.

Taking the part of Prospero in this production is Graham Paton. It is based in the 1600s and will be in full costume of the period.

The Tempest runs from Monday, July 4 to Saturday, July 9 and tickets are available from www.shakespearelive.com or call 07780 938107 - Flicky Harrison