GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S acclaimed Festival Players will this summer celebrate an incredible 30 years of touring professional outdoor Shakespeare productions by taking a contrasting twin tour across the UK and into Europe, starting on May 15.

Audiences will have the choice of one of the Bard’s best-loved comedies

As You Like It or his epic historical drama Henry IV (a fresh and accessible adaptation of Parts 1 and 2) by Players’ Artistic Director Michael Dyer.

The company will be fielding their traditional all-male cast in alternating performances, which will be played out an at increasingly varied number of locations from Scottish castles to English village greens, famous Welsh gardens to London commons, island botanical gardens to Roman amphitheatres.

A small cast of six will punch well above their weight, playing multiple roles demanding quick costume changes, as well as performing as singers and musicians in As You Like It and both productions will be directed by Worcestershire-based Michael Dyer, former director of Cornwall’s Minack Open Air Theatre.

Michael says: “Performing two contrasting plays will be a great challenge for our actors but an exciting opportunity for them to show their energy and versatility.”

As You Like It, which features one of Shakespeare’s most famous quotes “All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players” is a firm favourite from the Bard’s formidable repertoire, penned around 1599. It sees love blossom for several couples in the Forest of Arden, where the exiled Duke Ferdinand has fled. His daughter Rosalind and her cousin Celia follow him there, in disguise, Rosalind taking on the persona of a boy, Ganymede. They are accompanied by court jester Touchstone. Ganymede is encountered by Orlando, already lovesick for Rosalind. Shepherds and goatherds also join in the sylvan drama of love, betrayal and mistaken identity.

By contrast, Henry IV Parts 1 & 2 is an epic historical drama, which sees Henry IV preparing for war while his son Prince Hal prefers to spend his time at taverns and brothels with the charismatic but corrupt Falstaff. Later he has to face up to his responsibilities to family and throne, choosing between duty and loyalty ahead of the Battle of Shrewsbury.

Music will be specially written for As You Like It by folk star Johnny Coppin who regularly tours the folk and acoustic circuit both solo and with fellow singer songwriter Mike Silver, adds a special ingredient with his original songs and instrumentals involving all the cast.

For more details and tickets to some performances, please visit www.thefestivalplayers.co.uk