THE setting and - on press night, at least - the weather were perfect for this promenade production of Shakespeare's magical play.

Spirite Productions, the company behind this outdoor staging, is a relatively new outfit, but has done wonders assembling the right ingredients in the right order for this spirited show.

If you're going to do outdoor Shakespeare, then the Dream is pretty much a dream of a show as four frustrated lovers are sent hither and thither through the forest as a result of the intervention of King of the Fairies Oberon, and his fleet-footed helper, Puck, as they play dirty tricks on Titania's Queen of the Fairies.

The action begins outside the Palm House and moves onto the lawns, before the audience is led into the woods to witness Titania's fairy queen falling for weaver Bottom making an ass of himself and two pairs of would-be lovers falling for the wrong partner after a sprinkling of a magic potion.

The audience finish up where they began as the rude mechanicals enact the story of Pyramus and Thisbe, a suitably knockabout ending as the sun sets on an evening of theatrical magic.

The settings are spectacular but the mainly youthful cast are by no means overshadowed. The thwarted lovers (Hester Evans, Tristan Beint, Joanna Croll and Glyn Williams) have real energy and passion, Peter Stephens' Bottom is a sight to behold and the final Pyramus and Thisbe comedy sketch gets the laughs.

* Until June 26. Tickets (01423) 771251.

Published: 14/06/2005