ACTOR Pip Utton has taken on some challenging roles in previous theatre tours including Churchill, Chaplin and Adolf.

Now the Edinburgh Fringe favourite returns to Dorset, including a performance on Portland, in a new play, At Home with William Shakespeare, which will visit four venues in the county through Artsreach.

Written and performed by Pip, "with a little help from William Shakespeare", Utton becomes the Bard himself; a real man who loves, laughs, drinks, sings, dances and cries.

Looking back on Shakespeare’s loves, Utton explores the desire, the exhilaration and the fear of rejection and grief he felt for lost love. Shakespeare’s poetry and plays are the source of inspiration for this entertaining romp around the life of arguably the greatest playwright of all time.

Artsreach co-director Kerry Bartlett said: “As Dorset’s touring arts charity we are thrilled that, thanks to the support of our funders and partners such as local solicitors Blanchards Bailey, we are able to continue to bring such outstanding new writing by acclaimed actors like Pip Utton to rural communities across the county.”

See Pip Utton at Yetminster Jubilee Hall on Saturday, October 6, to book tickets call 01935 873719, Gillingham School theatre, on Tuesday, October 30, call 01747 833844.

Pip returns to Dorset for two further performances, the Royal Manor Theatre on Portland on November 9. Call 03336 663366 for tickets. Pip will round off the tour with the Springhead in Fontmell Magna on Thursday, November 29, call 01747 811853. Tickets are also available online at artsreach.co.uk.