Stafford Festival Shakespeare: The Tempest to be feature play

The production will be at Stafford Castle and will see the team behind last year's play of Othello reunite.

Director Clare Prenton, music director Craig Adams and production designer Frances Collier will create the Shakespearean masterpiece, never previously performed at the well-known festival.

The play is Shakespeare's final solo play and celebrated as one of his most enchanting works.

It follows the story of Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, who becomes stranded on a largely uninhabited island where

music, magic and supernatural creatures provide a strange education for him and his young daughter, Miranda.

Twelve years have passed and Prospero has acquired some rough magic; self-taught mysticism as well as protecting his daughter from his wild slave, Caliban.

When Prospero's magic causes a shipwreck, mayhem ensues in the course of one incredible day.

Miranda falls in love with the shipwrecked Prince Ferdinand, murder plots are formed then abandoned, ?nally Prospero is reconciled with the brother who usurped him and all head safely home to Italy.

This twentieth century production by Stafford Festival Shakespeare is set against the backdrop of the glamour and elegance of the 1930s – the golden age of luxury cruise liners, Hollywood glamour and the dying days of vaudeville – all from a small Italian occupied island off the coast of Somalia.

Producer Derrick Gask said: "Continuing the trend set last year, we are delighted to announce that Stafford Festival Shakespeare 2017 will feature another of The Bard's works that has never previously been performed at Stafford Castle.

"It's also great to welcome back Clare and the acclaimed creative team behind last year's show for another exciting production.

"We have some fantastic, revolutionary ideas in the pipeline so keep your eyes peeled for some more announcements very soon."

The Tempest will open on June 22 and run until July 8 at Stafford Castle.

Established in 1991, Stafford Festival Shakespeare has fast become one of Europe's largest open air Shakespeare productions.

For the first time in its 27-year history the festival will also feature a Sunday performance on June 25 at 5pm.

Next year's production will be in a purpose-built auditorium under the stars.

Tickets will be available from November 11 at 9.30am. Early Bird Tickets are available until January 31.

The early bird offer saves £3 per ticket on selected performances.

Full information can be obtained from the box office on 01785 619080.