SHAKESPEARE will be brought to life at Hoghton Tower this summer with a series of open-air performances of one of his most popular plays.

Shakespeare at the Tower will see 'As You Like It' performed 'promenade style' in the grounds of the historic manor house.

This will be the second time that the home of the de Hoghton family will form the backdrop for the works of the Bard, maintaining a 400-year-old link with the master playwright.

Leading academics believe that a young William Shakespeare spent some time at Hoghton Tower, where he was a tutor to the de Hoghton family children.

In Shakespeare's time the family home even had its own theatre where he may have performed.

With costumes on loan from the Royal Shakespeare Company and a professional cast, this year's production looks to build on the success of Twelfth Night last summer.

Director Dean Taylor said: "We aim to lift Shakespeare off the page to prove to people that his work is both accessible and, above all, enjoyable. We are so lucky to have the magnificent setting of Hoghton Tower to work with, and it is a great privilege to bring Shakespeare back here."

'As You Like It' will run from Thursday, June 10 to Sunday, June 27, with both matinee and evening performances.

Schools and colleges will be invited to take part in a series of workshops with members of the cast, and a number of the performances will be 'signed' for those with hearing difficulties.

Audiences are encouraged to bring along their own chairs and even picnics and they will follow the action in five different settings around the grounds -- some of which are not normally open to the public.

Mr Taylor added: "We hope that people will look on this as an event rather than just a visit to the theatre.

"It will certainly be great fun."

For further information, contact the ticket hotline on 01254 851185.