DON Warrington is soon to play King Lear at Manchester's Royal Exchange and the RSC brings A Midsummer Night's Dream to Blackpool's Grand Theatre next week.

But even if you can't manage the former, don't miss the comic Shakespearian entanglement being untied with ease closer to home at Bowness - As You Like It.

Indeed, like a breath of fresh air that breezes through the Forest of Arden comes one of the Bard's most engaging comedies.

Directed by the indefatigable Judith Notley, the timeless tale of lovers Rosalind and Orlando opens at one of the area's most treasured theatrical spaces, the Old Laundry Theatre, on Tuesday, April 12.

Undaunted by the challenge and well-known for working her socks off where theatre is concerned, Judith describes the experience as a "rollercoaster" but thrilling to have brought her exciting and ambitious Fools Players' inaugural project to fruition - with a little help from her distinguished thespian friends along the way.

“It’s a true Shakespearean comedy with classic cross-dressing, mistaken identity, betrayal, redemption and love at first sight,” explains Judith. “But there’s also something that chimes with rural Cumbria: the contrast between the peace of the forest and the intrigue and danger of city life.”

Judith's cast is like a who's who of some of the best theatrical talent that's trod the boards of many a Lakeland stage down the years. Great to see Hilary Pezet back in the OL spotlight as Hymen, the goddess of marriage, alongside Andrew Barrow (who plays Le Beau), Mark Crook (Touchstone), Jim Thompson (Duke Senior), Richard Sutton (Adam), Sarah Brett (Rosalind/Ganymede), Kates' Vernon and Walford (both trees), and the incomparable Steve Hall (William), who has given audiences many side-splitting moments and has never looked back since he entertained the nation on Britain’s Got Talent; his love interest Audrey is played by Juliet Golding.

As for delivering one of literature's most famous and uttered metaphors - 'all the world's a stage' etc, etc, - is Nigel Banks, who plays Jaques.

All told, a glittering cast of 27 that also includes rising stars of the stage from Kendal College, which Judith says has been "particularly supportive and generous."

Music is specially composed by another Lakeland legend, Anne Pater with Andrew Sproxton; a local ceilidh band, Common Ground, will play jigs and reels throughout the show.

For many years Judith has worked within the Old Laundry at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness, portraying Beatrix herself to groups of children and adults who visit the attraction during the summer season.

And the idea of setting up the Fools Players is to put on a large cast play, annually, thanks to the splendid support of Old Laundry owners, Charlotte Scott and Roger Glossop.

"If we do get an audience," adds Judith, "and we can cover costs - a Fools Players production could be a permanent fixture in the Old Laundry Theatre calendar."

The four-night run is one of the most anticipated homegrown shows for years and plays the Old Laundry from Tuesday, April 12 until Friday, April 15 (7.30pm), mere days before the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death on April 23.

Tickets are available from the Old Laundry Box Office, online at www.oldlaundrytheatre.co.uk or by telephone on 08445-040604.