GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S acclaimed Festival Players will be whipping up a storm in Dorset this month when they celebrate their 25th anniversary with an all-male production of Shakespeare’s final great poetic comedy, The Tempest.

The players have proven themselves to be one of the finest and most enduring touring Shakespeare groups in the UK and this summer will perform some 65 alfresco shows.

At the helm will be the innovative and inspired director Michael Dyer, former director of Cornwall’s Minack Open Air Theatre, who will also take the role of the exiled duke, Prospero.

Worcestershire-based Michael teaches Shakespeare performance at Trinity University College, Carmarthen, and has recently staged an acclaimed all-female version of The Taming of the Shrew with his student cast.

He said: “The Tempest seemed like a notably epic drama for our silver anniversary year. It combines treachery, conspiracy and sorcery in a colourful and fascinating tale to make it one of Shakespeare’s greats.

“It has so many themes – not just love, tragedy and comedy but freedom, friendship, repentance and forgiveness.”

Michael added: “Just six male actors will take on all the roles, some of whom will be familiar to regular audiences.”

Dyer himself takes on the magical mantle of Prospero, Peter Scott will tackle the challenging roles of both the sprite Ariel and Prospero’s loyal daughter Miranda while Players’ stalwart Martin Tomms will return after an absence of two years to play drunken butler Stephano and the old, honest lord Gonzalo.

Completing the cast will be Christopher Mark as lovelorn Ferdinand and jester Trinculo. Lane Paul Stewart plays servant Caliban and Prospero’s brother Antonio and Giles Stoakley, a graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, will be Alonso.

See The Tempest in the orchard of Mill House, Netherbury near Bridport on Sunday, June 20 at 2.30pm.

Advance tickets are available on 01308 862943 price £8 adults and £4 children. A family ticket for two adults and three children is £20. Tickets at the gate will be £10 adults, £5 children and £25 for a family.

A second performance will take place at Highcliffe Castle on June 30. Call 01425 278007.