Last updated 11:43, Thursday, 03 July 2008

Renaissance Italy comes to Brougham Hall near Penrith on Thursday and Friday next week when Shakespeare’s classic love story Romeo and Juliet is performed by Say Two Theatre Company.

In character: Some of the cast of Romeo and Juliet, from left, Josephine Altham, from Yanwath, Sophie Lucena-Phillips, from Temple Sowerby, and Edna Freeman, from Askham

It’s not just professional actors and actresses performing on the open air stage – members of the public were invited to audition and have been busy receiving training and rehearsing with the company.

More than 20 local people will be taking part in the production with the youngest being six and the oldest in her 70s. The idea behind getting the public involved came as a response to the book To Be or Not to Be, Innit, by satirical writer Martin Baum, which features 15 versions of Shakespeare’s work.

Artistic director of Romeo and Juliet, Christine Appleby, who has been a director for more than 20 years, explains: “It is insulting to presume that certain types of people – including young people today – do not or cannot appreciate Shakespeare.

“We perform to all ages, including young people in schools.”

Romeo and Juliet is on the curriculum for year nine SATs next year and this has attracted several youngsters to become involved.

Say Two is well known for its world class, family-friendly performances using traditional costumes, weaponry and music and Romeo and Juliet will be no exception, with its Elizabethan costumes, sword fighting, dancing, brawls and beauty.

Starts 7.30pm. Audiences are invited to bring chairs and a picnic. Tickets £5-£14. Call 01768 868184.