Ref. 25781-15Lovers and fairies took to the stage at Lydiard Park for this year's outdoor Shakespeare production.

Heartbreak Productions presented A Midsummer Night's Dream on Saturday as a sell-out audience of 600 sat eating and drinking on the grass.

The rain stayed away and Lydiard House provided an impressive backdrop to the action on stage.

The play was brought up-to-date, with many of the characters in modern dress, and the actors taking time to interact with the audience.

Shakespeare in the Park has become a regular fixture in the Swindon summer calendar a time for wine, picnic blankets and anxious glances at the clouds.

"I recognise faces that have been here year after year," said Sarah Finch-Crisp, the keeper of Lydiard House.

"It's become something of a tradition and it's exactly what Swindon needs."

Different members of the company performed Shakespeare's comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor on yesterday evening.