Lampeter House will be opening its doors this summer for an exclusive open air performance of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew for one night only on Thursday, August 18.

Span Arts is proud to welcome the Festival Players Theatre Company back to this stunning and unique venue, for what will be the only open air performance held at Lampeter House this year.

Lampeter House is set among five acres of stunning countryside in Lampeter Velfrey, and features beautiful gardens, home to 20 different varieties of Japanese Acers and eight varieties of Japanese cherry trees.

A building of impressive character and scale, it has enjoyed a long colourful history at the heart of local life, and has seen many different chapters in its lifetime.

Owned by a wealthy doctor early last century, it was then taken on by Welsh character, Vena Morris, from the 1940s to the 1980s, when it was frequented by bikers and other nomadic communities. No stranger to drama or intrigue, Lampeter House will provide the perfect setting for Shakespeare's play.

The current owners, Julian and Mami Williams have resided at Lampeter House for 12 years and have been hosting indoor and open air performances for the last decade.

Most familiar with theatre and opera performances, highlights include Madame Butterfly, The Marriage of Figaro and La Traviata.

The demands of setting up their side business, greeting card and ceramics business; Two Bad Mice have meant the usual arts programme has been restricted this year. However, in addition to this one special open air event, the doors will be reopening for future indoor performances in the autumn.

With such a colourful history and such sumptuous gardens, Lampeter House is sure to provide the perfect setting for The Festival Players Theatre Company's annual performance of Shakespeare's bard comedy.

With wooing and wedding, music and masquerading, The Taming of the Shrew tells the story of the feisty and sharp-tongued Katharina, and gentleman of Verona, Petruchio, in his quest to 'tame' her into being his bride.

The grounds will be open from 6 pm. Visitors are invited to bring a picnic to enjoy amidst the beautiful gardens, or take advantage of the refreshments available, and position themselves for a spectacular summers evening of entertainment.

In the event of bad weather, the performance will be held in one of the beautiful outbuildings, which is currently being renovated into a ballet school.

Tickets are £12/£10 (concessions and Span Arts members), available in advance from Span Arts on 869323, or online at http://www.span-arts.org.uk">www.span-arts.org.uk