THERE’S an incredible opportunity for amateur and professional theatre groups, along with schools and colleges, to put on a play by Shakespeare at the RSC’s Dell Venue in Stratford-upon-Avon later this year.

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s offer is the chance to put on a play by Shakespeare or his contemporaries at the company’s open air performance space on the banks of the River Avon on Saturdays and Sundays throughout June, July and August this year.

The Dell provides a space for groups to perform an established piece of work, or to create a new one inspired by Shakespeare or his contemporaries, and it has already seen over 300 groups perform on its stage since it launched 12 years ago.

RSC Events Officer, Lizzie Mara, said: “The Dell is a brilliant platform for amateur theatre companies, community groups, schools, universities and professional theatre companies to perform to an audience of all ages right in the heart of Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon.

“Audiences love the free productions that companies bring to The Dell, and enjoy the unique atmosphere that comes from plays being performed outside by the River Avon during the summer months. I can’t wait to see what performances we get to welcome this year.”

Two performance slots are available on Saturdays and Sundays at The Dell between Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, August 26.

Those interested in mounting a production should fill in an application form, which can be downloaded from the RSC’s website - www.rsc.org.uk/thedell The closing date for applications is Monday, March 5.