By Emma Morley

Last updated 05:34, Friday, 04 July 2008

Renaissance Italy comes to Brougham Hall near Penrith next week when Shakespeare’s classic love story Romeo and Juliet is performed by Say Two theatre company.

It’s not just professional actors and actresses performing on the open air stage – members of the public were invited to audition and have been busy receiving training and rehearsing with the company.

More than 20 local people will be taking part in the production with the youngest being six and the oldest in her 70s.

The idea behind getting the public involved came as a response to the book To Be or Not to Be, Innit, by satirical writer Martin Baum, which features 15 versions of Shakespeare’s work.

Artistic director of Romeo and Juliet, Christine Appleby, who has been a director for more than 20 years, explains: “It is insulting to presume that certain types of people – including young people today – do not or cannot appreciate Shakespeare. We perform to all ages, including young people in schools.”

Romeo and Juliet is on the curriculum for year nine SATs next year and this has attracted several youngsters to become involved.

Bethany Wiggett, 13, from Lamonby near Penrith, decided to audition after she discovered she would be studying the play next year. She will be involved in the ballroom scene and in the chorus.

She said: “It is the set text so I thought it would be a good idea to get involved. Instead of just reading the play you get more involved by appearing in it and get to know the characters.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to work with professionals. It is really exciting but I am a bit nervous about appearing on stage.”

Edna Freeman, 78, from Askham, is also taking part in the performance. She is involved in amateur operatics with Penrith Savoyards.

She said: “There will be a real mix of ages. I will be appearing in the opening scene and the ballroom scene.”

Say Two is well known for its world class, family-friendly performances using traditional costumes, weaponry and music and Romeo and Juliet will be no exception, with its Elizabethan costumes, sword fighting, dancing, brawls and beauty.

Rebecca Loudonsack plays Juliet to Ryan Norse’s Romeo.

Christine said: “I always wanted to do a production where we are not just working with our actors and actresses. It is great to get the community involved.

“When it comes to the street scene we will be able to have full streets of Verona and big chorus scenes, fighting, and ballroom scenes.

“The members of the public all have to come up to scratch and I don’t think the audience will know the difference between the professionals and local people.”

The performances are held outdoors and there will be a marquee for the audience to sit under in bad weather, although the performers will have to brave the elements.

Christine said: “You have more scope outdoors to put on epic theatre. We can have people running in from all directions.

“We carry on regardless of the weather – the show must go on!”

Romeo and Juliet is performed on Friday, July 11 and Saturday, July 12. Audiences are invited to bring chairs and a picnic.

Tickets cost £5-£14, available by emailing the company at cesttous@btopenworld.comall 01768 868184 or calling 01257 453956.

A director’s talk and workshop takes place at 7pm before the performance at 7.30pm.