PICNIC hampers and blankets at the ready - the curtain is about to rise on a summertime feast of outdoor Shakespeare in the Lake District.

Opening the season is a brand new production of Romeo and Juliet to be performed at Blackwell, the Arts and Crafts House overlooking Windermere, next week.

The Old Laundry Theatre at Bowness has invited the Shakespeare Globe's small-scale touring company to perform at the beautiful open-air setting on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

Directed by Dominic Dromgoole and Tim Hoare, the production promises a "fresh and new exploration" of the tragic love story, using an Elizabethan-style booth stage, inspired by paintings and etchings from the Bard's time.

Box office 08445-040604 or www.oldlaundrytheatre.co.uk

Also on Tuesday, the ever-popular Illyria Open Air Touring Theatre is to stage The Taming of the Shrew at Brantwood, in a scenic meadow overlooking Coniston Water.

Illyria use only a handful of props and no scenery, and they perform Shakespeare's plays uncut, with just five actors.

Sparks are guaranteed to fly in this comedy about acid-tongued Kate, her mild-mannered sister Bianca and loud-mouthed bachelor Petruchio.

Look out, too, for a magical performance of The Sorceror's Apprentice at Brantwood on August 18.

Tickets from Brantwood or www.illyria.uk.com

Meanwhile Shakespeare's much-loved comedy As You Like It is to be played out in the grounds of Leighton Hall, near Carnforth, on Friday.

The acclaimed Festival Players, celebrating their 30th anniversary, are returning to the stately home just weeks after their sell-out performance of epic drama Henry lV.

Artistic director Michael Dyer said: "This year we are doing a mammoth 80-date tour but Leighton Hall is one of only two venues we do in Lancashire, so we always look forward to it. The gardens are without doubt the perfect setting for a balmy summer’s evening of entertainment!”

Looking ahead to next month, the Three Inch Fools Company is to stage The Tempest in the gardens at Rydal Mount on August 19 and 20.

The touring troupe is to set up camp next-door at Rydal Hall, staying in a tepee. The tale of monsters, drunken butlers and stormy seas will feature home-made costumes and props.

“We are a troupe of travelling actors in the true Shakespeare tradition,” said James Hyde, who founded the company with his brother Stephen just this year.

“We think it is really important to bring this kind of theatre to the north of England and Scotland," said James. "My brother and I grew up in Cumbria and we really want to contribute to the cultural scene in the North.”

Rydal Mount curator Peter Elkington said: “We are thrilled to be hosting this production. The company will use the mound in the grounds which creates a natural amphitheatre setting for the actors and the audience.”

Tickets www.threeinchfools.com