YOUNG actors from the acclaimed Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre will take to the woods when they perform one of William Shakespeare's most popular plays this month.

A Midsummer Night's Dream features the Act One group - actors ranging from 16 to 21 years old - in the play about young lovers, malicious fairies and a noisy Bottom!

Director Adam Forde said the group has carved out a reputation for excellent productions, varying from the tragedy of Ghetto to the light-hearted comedy of The Wind in the Willows.

But this will be the first time many of the members have performed Shakespeare.

"A lot of them haven't had the chance to do Shakespeare before, especially not a version like this, which will have full professional design and production behind it," said Adam.

"A lot of young people still study Shakespeare, but I think what they realise in rehearsals is that it's not this funny foreign language they thought it was!

"The play taps into every aspect of the human condition.

"You have loyalty, passion, a battle of the sexes - without it being a horrible '70s sitcom! There is morality and decency, plus politics, with the proletariat being patronised by the upper classes, and girls being told what to do by their parents.

"The fairies are very promiscuous while the humans aren't, which has a lot of resonance to the issues young people are dealing with now.

"But the bottom line, so to speak, is that it's very funny!"

The show runs from December 9 to 16.

Tickets, costing £6 for under-18s and £8 for adults, are available from the Yvonne Arnaud box office on 01483 440000.