A NEW company of actors, directors and stage managers has assembled in preparation for this summer’s Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre in Chester.

Produced by city arts organisation Chester Performs, the theatre will present two new productions – Shakespeare’s As You Like It and a new play by Glyn Maxwell, Merlin and the Woods of Time – from July 7-August 21.

Just a few weeks into rehearsals, and the company is performing well.

Merlin and the Woods of Time director Alex Clifton is enjoying working in what he described as a ‘very happy rehearsal room’.

According to professional photographer Paul Read, who visited the rehearsal rooms to capture the cast at work, creativity levels are soaring.

The full-size company will move into the custom-built open-air theatre for a final two and a half weeks of technical and dress rehearsals at the end of this month.

They will then go on to perform in both plays for an ambitious run of 49 performances with up to eight performances a week.

Tickets are on sale from £12. To book, visit www.grosvenorparkopenairtheatre.co.uk, telephone 0843 241 7868 or call in at Chester Visitor Information Centre.