THEATRICAL director Joyce Branagh - younger sister of Sir Kenneth - is staging a "rom-com take" on Shakespeare's Measure for Measure in the dramatic surroundings of Lancaster Castle.

Demi-paradise Productions will be bringing their acclaimed brand of indoor promenade theatre back into the castle, for what will be their tenth promenade Shakespeare production.

As producer Stephen Tomlin explained, the play will be given an "unconventional and upbeat 1950s setting" complete with live music and song from the era.

Lancashire-based Joyce Branagh recently took to Twitter to say she was "very excited to be starting rehearsals".

Her actor/director brother, meanwhile, is busy with his own season of plays in London's West End, where Richard Madden, Lily James and Derek Jacobi will star in Romeo and Juliet at the Garrick Theatre from May 13.

Stephen described the staging of Measure for Measure as a "major Lancastrian contribution to the Shakespeare 400 series of national events" designed to celebrate the Bard's legacy and mark the 400th anniversary of his death in 1616.

Established in 2000, Demi-paradise is Lancaster Castle’s resident professional theatre company, presenting regular seasonal events in and around Shire Hall, explained Stephen. They also entertained HM The Queen as Duke of Lancaster when she visited in 2015, with a scene from Shakespeare’s Richard II.

"Although majoring in the romantic comedy of character and plot, our production will be exploring the darker side of morality and justice, sex and death through the unmatchable wit and wisdom we all associate with William Shakespeare," explained Stephen.

He told Arts that Joyce Branagh has cast "a mega-talented acting company" currently in rehearsal in Manchester and Lancaster.

The play is to run from Thursday, February 25 to Saturday, March 19, with a young people's matinee on Saturday, March 5 and a family-friendly show on Monday, March 14.

Demand for tickets is expected to be high and booking is strongly advised because the restricted size of playing spaces - law courts, ancient cells, Hadrian’s Tower and Barrister's Library - means that a strictly limited number of tickets is available.

Joyce Branagh writes: "I am a freelance theatre director and writer living in the North West and working all over the UK and beyond. I have directed a range of classical and new plays and, having seen Demi-paradise’s Much Ado About Nothing and Othello at Lancaster Castle, I am very excited at the prospect of working within the rooms and courts of this beautiful historical building, with a company so experienced at staging Shakespeare here.”

Demi-paradise says it acknowledges the financial support given by Lancashire County Council in association with the Duchy of Lancaster, neighbouring businesses and corporate sponsors in staging the production.

Box office 01524-64998.