ONE of Shakespeare's most popular plays is to be performed in a Derwentside park.

The outdoor production of A Midsummer Night's Dream is being held at Blackhill and Consett Park.

It is the result of Derwentside Leisure Services collaborating with Consett-based Mad Alice Theatre Company and CTC Theatre from Darlington.

This version, sub-titled Dreams In A Park, has been specially adapted and abridged by Paul Harman, artistic director of CTC, to make it accessible to modern audiences of all ages.

It is set in Consett in 1891 and shows the managers and workers of the Consett Iron Company attempting to stage their own production of the play to celebrate the opening of the original park.

Social rivalries and class differences in late Victorian Consett manifest themselves throughout the play.

Consett-born Shelley O'Brien, who set up Mad Alice last year to produce the play, said: "Last year we had so much support for this production from Derwentside District Council, Arts Council, and Heritage Lottery Fund.

"Performances were extremely well-attended by schools and public and I am sure as many people will enjoy the experience this year.

"It is fantastic that the district council are supporting the event again this year."

Dreams In A Park is performed in promenade style, with the audience following the actors as they play out the scenes around the park.

This enables the natural and landscaped beauty of the park and its features to be used to full effect.

It is playing from July 5 to 8 at both 1.30pm and 7.30pm and also on July 9 only at 7.30pm. Tickets, which cost £5 or £4 concessions, can be bought in advance from The Empire Theatre on (01207) 218171 or The Lamplight Arts Centre in Stanley (01207) 218899.