IT might be just early spring but it's never too early for A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The RSC is staging the ever-popular play later this month as part of its new comedies season.

The story of the young lovers fleeing the court and finding themselves caught in a web of illusion in the Athenian woods is being directed by Gregory Doran and stars Amanda Harris as Titania (Emilia in Othello in the 2003/4 season), Joe Dixon as Oberon (Titus Andronicus in 2003 and the Jacobean season in 2002) and Malcolm Storry as Bottom.

It features the same production team which worked on Doran's All's Well That Ends Well last year. Another new season debut comes as part of the New Writing series being staged at The Other Place.

Solstice, written and directed by Zinnie Harris, has been commissioned by the RSC. It deals with the story of a family who come into conflict when forced to resettle in an oppressive state.

A Midsummer Night's Dream opens on March 31 at the RST and Solstice starts on March 30 at The Swan Theatre. The directors will also be talking about their productions in special events on April 13 (Dream) and April 5 (Solstice).

Contact the box office for tickets and information on 0870 6091110 or at www.rsc.org.uk.