If all the world’s a stage the men and women of Box are more than merely players, as the village’s amateur thespians perform five Shakespeare plays in one night.

Inspired by the Immortal Bard, writer Kelley Townley has penned reduced versions of five classic plays, and seeks volunteers to finish her cast list.

The 20-minute plays will be performed to pupils from Box Primary School at The Selwyn Hall on March 22, who will also get involved with their own production of Romeo and Juliet.

Mrs Townley said: “It’s a semi-private event for the school to coincide with National Shakespeare Week.

“It’s completely amateur. We’ve got lots of mums and dads who have no experience of acting.

“The plays include the classic quotes but I wanted to make them understandable in a short timeframe.”

“We are having difficulty finding 20-somethings. They don’t need to have acted before, just to have enthusiasm and be available for Tuesday night rehearsals.

“I need a Lady Macbeth and an Oberon, which are major roles, and an old man, someone with a big grey beard for small roles.”

Contact Mrs Townley at mail@kelley townley.com

The list of roles: Oberon from A Midsummer Night's Dream; Lady Macbeth; Caliban from The Tempest; Lysander from A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Younger people for: Viola/Cesario, Twelfth Night; Sebastian, Twelfth Night; Miranda, The Tempest; Ferdiand, The Tempest; and an old, bearded man for small roles.