A TRULY one-off theatrical experience is available in north Hampshire, courtesy of The Anvil and King Alfred's College.

theatre-lovers will be able to see William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream in midsummer week, outside Farleigh House.

Paul Chamberlain, the brains behind the performance, is by now getting a little excited. A professional theatre director, who has spent half his career at the helm of productions and half as an academic, he now works in Basingstoke's Chute House with students from the Winchester-based college.

"Farleigh House is a fantastic venue," he enthused when I chatted to him.

"The audience will actually be moved around from the woods to other landscapes.

"I've done the play before and it's absolutely magical, particularly at this time of year.

"We're hoping people will arrive around 6pm with picnics and seating to enjoy the experience. The play starts at 7.30pm, there will be natural light until about 9.30pm and then, when you get to the last act, we will have special effects as darkness falls.

"The play is set in the country, so to be able to perform it in this setting is just fantastic."

How did he come to think of the plan?

"I happened to meet Lady Portsmouth and she was talking about the fact that she'd always been very interested in an open-air Shakespeare production at Farleigh House.

"They'd had Jools Holland and one or two other events, but never Shakespeare.

"She knew of my background, that I worked with students and actors, so she asked me if there was any way we could organise it.

"Then it fitted very well because we were starting a new university centre in Basingstoke and were looking not just to have courses, but to have other events which would also raise our profile.

"In terms of this project, what I'm able to do is bring my professional theatre background together with this community production which has been open to everyone.

"We've been able to attract an amazing range of people - a retired headmaster, people from the legal profession, from the commercial sector - so it's a really good mixture.

"All the people have some experience and we knew there was a tradition here, established by the Haymarket and Central Studio - it was just whether or not they would come forward. But we have been so surprised by their energy and level of commitment, and we've been very encouraged."

Not only will there be acting, but Andy Baker from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is taking up the baton as musical director for the proceedings.

"Andy is experienced at working with those who aren't natural musicians, so as well as playing himself, he's also devised the music with the whole company, a score to be played throughout. The musicians are people who are also performing and will hopefully involve the audience as well.

"The wonderfully diverse and magical ingredients of the play, combined with the setting and the opportunity for people to relax and enjoy Shakespeare - you can't beat it!"

A Midsummer Night's Dream will be performed in the grounds of Farleigh House, Farleigh Wallop, from next Wednesday to Saturday, at 7.30pm.

Tickets, costing £13 (concessions £10), are available from the box office on 01256 844244. Please bring a blanket or portable seating.