SHAKESPEARE'S sparking battle-of-the-sexes comedy Much Ado About Nothing is coming to the beautiful surroundings of Batsford Arboretum near Moreton-in-Marsh on Thursday, July 7, thanks to the Chamberlain’s Men.

For the past decade this hugely popular company have brought their own special brand of authentic, exhilarating and engaging all-male productions to the UK’s most historically important and visually stunning venues and this year’s production, in the year that marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, will be no different.

To toast Don Pedro’s triumph in battle, Leonato, the Governor of Messina, throws a masquerade ball where well-intentioned plots and evil schemes abound as enemies deceive lovers and friends trick friends. Locked together in a ‘merry war’, Benedick, a confirmed bachelor, and Beatrice, an avowed maid, are resolutely set against marriage. However their friends have a plan. Their ‘will-they-won’t-they’ relationship is one of Shakespeare’s funniest and most famous love stories.

Peter Stickney, artistic director, said: “Much Ado is the play that our audiences have been begging us to return to. This lively summer comedy has one of Shakespeare’s most famous and funniest warring couples that will keep you guessing about their relationship until the very end. I can’t think of anything more perfect for a summer’s evening than a classical retelling of this great play set against the background of one of the nation’s most beautiful outdoor venues.”

Will Benedick and Beatrice ever get together? Can Dogberry’s comically incompetent watchmen save the day? Will the evil plots be scuppered and true love win out in the end? To find out, be sure to catch this brilliant all-male company perform Shakespeare as it would have been: in the open air, in full Elizabethan costume and with traditional music and dance.

There are performances at 1pm and 7pm, gates open an hour before each performance and the audience are encouraged to bring a picnic and a rug or low-backed chair. Matinee tickets cost £8.50, evening tickets cost £17 for adults, £12 for concessions and £10 for children and are on sale at Batsford Arboretum or by calling 01386 701441. Visit www.batsarb.co.uk for more details.