AN open air professional production of William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” is coming to Blockley.

On Saturday August 11 the performance will come to the village, with some of the proceeds helping to reduce the loan raised to build the community-owned village shop and café.

The play will be performed in Churchill Close in the centre of the Cotswold village by the Rain or Shine Theatre Company, a touring company celebrating its 20th anniversary that has made several visits to Blockley in the past.

The performance is being staged in association with Blockley Amateur Dramatic Company (BADCo) which has promised to donate its share of any proceeds to help repay loans that funded the construction of the community owned Blockley Shop and Café.

Shakespeare’s popular family comedy has been set unusually in November 1918. The Great War has finally come to end, and the men of the British military forces are returning to their homes.

Don Pedro and his comrades are coming at last to Messina, on the edge of the Cotswolds where they are met by friends, old and new.

From the dastardly Don John, to the daft Sergeant Dogberry, Much Ado About Nothing brings revellers, rascals and romance.

Visitors are invited to bring their own picnic hampers before witnessing how the people of Messina find love, scupper mischievous plots and celebrate new found peace across the world.

The performance on Blockley’s Churchill Close will commence at 6pm on August 11 and the site will open to picnickers from 5pm.

Tickets may be obtained in person at Blockley Village Shop or from Rainorshine on 0330 660 0541 or via rainorshine.co.uk.