HAVING already visited Dorset this summer with their successful production of Richard III, Gloucestershire’s Festival Players are back in the county later this month with a very different play.

Twelfth Night is one of the Bard’s most popular comedies.

The play was written around 1601 as an entertainment to close the Christmas season, and centres on Viola who, parted from her twin brother Sebastian in a shipwreck, disguises herself as a man and enters the court of Duke Orsino.

Once there, she is pressed into service to take his messages of love to the bereaved and unimpressed Lady Olivia while Viola herself falls for the Duke – what a convoluted love triangle.

This is the 27th year of touring for the players and the production is being directed by Michael Dyer, a former director of Cornwall’s famous Minack Theatre.

He said: “In a year where the focus falls firmly on London in terms of both the Olympic and regal celebrations, what better Shakespeare play to perform than The Bard’s great comedy of love, laughter and gender confusion?

“Ours will be a colourful and lively take on the play where a girl disguises herself as a man to be near the Count she adores, only to be pursued herself by the woman the Count loves.”

Just six actors will play all the roles, involving some quickfire costume changes. Gardens on August 18 at 7pm. Tickets are £10 plus concessions from 01305 871130.