Lichfield’s Shakespeare in the Park will celebrate its 40th anniversary by re-creating its first production - A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Sarah Stanley, a veteran performer of the group, as well as other Lichfield societies, will be directing the play, following her successful previous production of As You Like It in 2017.

Shakespeare’s much-loved comedy will be presented in the Italian Gardens at Maple Hayes from Wednesday 21st - Saturday 24th June.

Shakespeare in the Park was originally formed in 1983 for a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Wychnor Hall. Since 1986, each year in June, the group has staged one of Shakespeare's plays and their home is now the Italian Gardens in the grounds of Maple Hayes School.

Audiences are seated on straw bales in the glade and are encouraged to bring along their own picnics and refreshments to enjoy throughout the performances. The beauty and magic of the gardens has helped to make the annual event of Shakespeare in the Park a truly enchanting one.

Whilst ‘The Dream’ is one of the most performed of the Bard’s plays, Sarah will be putting her own creative twist on the much-loved play, setting it in a ‘Boogie Wonderland, whilst keeping true to the themes of intertwining love stories, feuding fairies, mischief and games of fantasy.’

Shows are at 7.30pm for a 7.45pm start each evening with a Saturday matinee starting at 2pm.

Tickets are from £17 and money raised goes towards local charities.

You can find all of the booking information at ticketsource.co.uk/shakespeare-in-the-park-lichfield and you can follow the group on Facebook at facebook.com/Shakespeareintheparklichfield.