ACCLAIMED Festival Players Theatre Company has been touring the country throughout the summer, with its dynamic all-male outdoor production of Shakespeare’s late romance, The Winter’s Tale.

The theatre company from Gloucestershire, which has been touring professional outdoor Shakespeare productions for over 30 years, will be bringing its latest show to the Cotswolds next week, performing at Woodchester Mansion, Stroud, on Thursday, August 23 and Glenfall House in Charlton Kings on Friday, August 24.

Presented in full costume, this is a chance to see one of Shakespeare’s most intriguing plays in a crystal-clear and fast-paced two-hour production.

Sparked by an obsessive envy, Leontes, King of Sicilia, sets in motion a train of events which affects two kingdoms and two generations; jealousy and joy, revenge and romance, loss and discovery, remorse and revelry, all culminate in an amazing revelation.

Festival Players Artistic Director Michael Dyer said: “Our shows are an amalgam of energy, entertainment and colour and we aim to make them clear and transparent, as well as keeping them short for the comfort of our patrons, many of whom will see a performance in the open air. We set out to take audiences of all ages on a journey and make them feel very much part of the production.”

A small cast of six play multiple roles demanding quick costume changes, as well as performing as singers and musicians. This gives an exciting opportunity for the actors to show their energy and versatility. It will be directed by Worcestershire based Dyer, former director of Cornwall’s Minack Open Air Theatre.

This will be Dyer’s 14th all-male production in a row for the Players. He said: “It is of course totally authentic - we are following in the footsteps of Shakespeare’s own Globe Theatre when all roles were taken by men. The Players has built a reputation for strong, all-male shows over the past 12 years.”

Stratford-based actor Mark Spriggs is returning to the company to play King Leontes.

Newcomers to the company this year are Jaymes Sygrove, Will Gillham, Tom Everatt, Edmund Attrill, and Matthew Samuel.

Music has been specially written for The Winter’s Tale by local folk star Johnny Coppin (front man of the cult Seventies folk-rock group Decameron).

Gloucestershire-based Coppin, who regularly tours the folk and acoustic circuit, adds a special ingredient with his original songs and instrumentals involving all the cast.

Visit thefestivalplayers.co.uk/tour for tickets and more information.