Shakespeare Live's summer show for 2020 is be The Winter's Tale. The outdoor production will be performed at Cleeve House in Seend from July 6-11.

It follows their two most recent and very successful productions of Romeo & Juliet and The Merry Wives of Windsor.

Open auditions are being held this weekend at Cleeve House, at 2pm on Saturday and 9am on Sunday.

Director Gill Morrell said: "I'm very excited about The Winter's Tale - getting the balance between tragedy and comedy, dealing with the special effects (including the bear!), creating tension, violence and quiet menace in the early scenes and magic and romance in the later ones, getting to grips with an amazing text, and getting the best out of our talented actors."

The Winter's Tale features ten major roles, seven for men and three for women, although Autolycus could possibly be female.

There are 12-plus other speaking roles and many roles can be doubled between Sicily and Bohemia. There are some non-speaking roles but most will have lines.

At least one child, Mamillius, is needed and possibly the part could be shared, but more children are very welcome

Mrs Morrell said: "In addition, I'm hoping to have some real sheep and there is also the bear (famously, Act Three ends 'Exit, pursued by a Bear')."

For full details and to sign up, go to www.shakespearelive.com.