SHAKESPEARE is returning to a Somerset village this summer – marking 15 years of outdoor theatre in the area.

Once a year, Lamyatt, a tiny village nestled above Bruton, welcomes between 200 and 300 people for an outdoor Shakespeare production and picnic.

Shakespeare in Lamyatt sees theatre group the Festival Players – whose patrons include actor Dame Judi Dench and director Michael Dyerhead – head to the village as part of its national tour.

This year, on June 14, the group is set to perform As You Like It, with the Somerset countryside providing the setting of the Forest of Arden.

“Some describe the performance space as Lamyatt’s answer to The Pyramid Stage,” a spokesperson for the event said. “Shakespeare in Lamyatt is very much a local affair, organised by villagers.

“Children are involved too, helping with decorations as well as wheelbarrows to transport picnics and chairs.”

The aim of the event is to raise funds for the village’s 13th-century church and village hall and sees farmers Jen and Ern Richards move their sheep and open up their fields to welcome the audience to picnic from 5.30pm, before the 7pm performance.

The Cross-Garter Bar will be open for the event, while Westcombe Dairies lend their marquee.

Shakespeare in Lamyatt began 15 years ago in the gardens at Speed’s Farm and as part of the celebrations, Lucy Jago will give a talk at The Chapel in Bruton on June 5 entitled The Story of Shakespeare in Three Objects.

Tickets for both events are available online at www.shakespeareinlamyatt.co.uk.