THERE was much ado at Cogges Manor Farm in Witney at an outdoor performance of a Shakespeare classic. Theatre company The Festival Players staged A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the manor house lawn on Tuesday evening.

And the production featured a traditional all-male cast.

Giles Stoakley, manager of The Festival Players, said: “This is part of an open air touring season, doing National Trust houses and places like Cogges.

“I think it is significantly the most approachable form of Shakespeare that anyone will ever see because it is outdoors and a bit more fun.

“People can come and enjoy themselves and have a picnic in the open air and experience Shakespeare as it was hundreds of years ago.”