Braving a Scottish summer with the Bard's best comedy

"WHY, this is very Midsummer madness!" as the Bard himself might put it.

Shakespeare in the outdoors and at the mercy of the Highland climate?

However, alfresco theatre specialists Illyria are well used to braving the north weather and return to Brahan on Sunday with "Twelfth Night", arguably Shakespeare's finest comedy.

Performed by a cast of five under director Oliver Gray, Illyria tell the story which provided the company with its name in an unabridged version with only a handful of props and no scenery.

Following a shipwreck, Viola is washed ashore in Illyria, where everything is illogical, delirious and lyrical. To protect herself she adopts a male disguise. But what use are disguises when Lady Olivia falls in love with her, and she falls in love with Count Orsino?

Now in its 20th open air season, Illyria has won four awards internationally for its Shakespeare performances.

Each play is inspired by performance techniques of Elizabethan touring troupes such as live music and song and inclusion of the audience in the proceedings, contemporary references and a robust style.

Gates open at 6pm so the audience can enjoy a picnic or purchase a barbecue from The Storehouse of Foulis before the production at 7.30pm.

Rain will not stop the show going on, but the audience should be prepared for whatever conditions are likely to throw at them, as well as bringing a rug or chair and some midge cream – just in case.

Tickets can be booked by calling 01349 861150 or on-line at www.thebooth.co.uk or www.Illyria.uk.com

Illyria also take "Twelfth Night" to Logie Steading near Forres on Tuesday.