PREPARE for a feast of physical theatre when Jenny Wren Productions kick off their Cotswolds open air tour of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night in Randwick, Stroud, on Friday and Saturday, July 10 and 11.

The grounds of Court Lodge at Randwick will be open from 6pm for theatregoers to enjoy picnics before the open-air production begins at 7pm.

Tickets cost £10 (£8 for concessions), and a family ticket for two adults and two concessions costs £29. The play is being performed in association with the Rotary Club of Stroud in aid of Longfield.

The play itself is one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, featuring twins Viola and Sebastian, who each believe the other to be drowned after a storm at sea. Their story unfolds with countless plot twists and turns in an evening of madcap mayhem, music, laughter and tears.

A small cast of six work their yellow cross-gartered stockings off to play all the characters between them, and the production promises to be action-packed, fast-paced and energetic, featuring cross-dressing, a couple of fights and some drunken revels.

Throw in a shipwreck, much unrequited love and a classic case of mistaken identity and the entertainment is complete.

Director Jenny Wicks commented: “We're really enjoying working on Shakespeare for the first time, and Twelfth Night is a particular favourite of mine. We've set ourselves an additional challenge by having only a cast of six to play all the roles, so we're anticipating chaos backstage with all the quick changes. We hope this will add to the sense of fun we try to bring to all our shows - both for the audience and the company.”

  • Tickets can be booked via the Box Office at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, on 01242 572573. Please check the website at www.everymantheatre.org.uk for details of the other tour venues as times may vary.