AMATEUR and professional theatre groups are being offered the opportunity by the Royal Shakespeare Company to put on a play by William Shakespeare.

Local groups, schools or colleges could chosen to put on a play by the Bard or his contemporaries at The Dell, the company’s open air performance space on the banks of the River Avon in Stratford-upon-Avon, on Saturdays and Sundays throughout June, July and August .

The Dell provides a space for groups to perform an established piece of work, or to create a new one inspired by Shakespeare or his contemporaries, and it has already seen over 300 groups perform on its stage since it launched 11 years ago.

RSC Events and Exhibitions Officer, Nicola Salmon, said: “The Dell is a great platform for amateur theatre companies, community groups, schools, universities and professional theatre companies to perform to an audience of all ages right in the heart of Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon.

“Audiences love the free productions that companies bring to The Dell, and enjoy the unique atmosphere that comes from plays being performed outside by the River Avon during the summer months.  I can’t wait to see what this year’s crop of shows will be".

Two performance slots are available on Saturdays and Sundays at The Dell between Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, August 27.

Those interested in mounting a production should fill in an application form, which can be downloaded from the RSC’s website and going to the Dell link.