THE Riverside Players will mark the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death with a performance of comedy As You Like at Rendcomb College's Open Theatre from Thursday, August 18-Saturday, August 20.

As You Like It is one of Shakespeare’s most thoughtful comedies.

It contrasts the coldness and cruelty of the court of Duke Frederick with the world of nature in the Forest of Arden, to which he has banished his brother, the former Duke.

The fugitive Duke’s daughter Rosalind is also exiled from court and, with her cousin Celia and the court jester Touchstone, goes to find her father in the forest, and there she, and everyone else, finds love and fulfilment.

The Riverside Players is an amateur theatre company now in its 65th year.

It was formed in 1951 by former students of the Central School of Speech and Drama in order to perform a play, touring the villages of the Home Counties during the summer holidays.

The idea became an annual fixture, incorporating the friends and families of those originally involved, and it soon grew to the point where moving about the country became impractical and for the last three years they have returned to one location - Rendcomb near Cirencester.

Many of the company return year after year and lifelong friendships have been formed.

They come from all walks of life; from school teachers to engineers, surgeons and nurses, and IT specialists and company directors.

It is not uncommon for three generations of the same family to be participating in a show in a variety of different guises and this year will be no exception to that rule.

  •  As You Like It is at Rendcomb College Open Air Theatre, Cirencester, from Thursday, August 18- Saturday, August 20 at 7.45pm. Matinee Saturday, August 20 at 3pm.
  • Tickets £12 adults (£10 in advance via the website), £5 children, £10 concessions. Tickets available from riversideplayers.org.uk or call 07907 310 820. Bring picnics and blankets (seating provided).
  • Gates open 6.30pm for picnics. Refreshments available. In the event of inclement weather there is an indoor alternative.