REMEMBER your rations, don your gas masks and hang out your bunting at open-air performances celebrating the 60th anniversary of the end of Second World War.

Heartbreak Productions, the UK's leading professional open-air touring company, will be bringing Shakespeare's classic Much Ado About Nothing to Worcestershire - with a twist.

To highlight the anniversary of Victory in Europe Day and Victory in Japan Day, director Peter Mimmack has set his version of the play at the end of Second World War.

A spokeswoman for Heartbreak Productions said: "It promises to be a unique production of sexy uniformed men and lusty land girls who will expertly guide the audience through a world of post-war love.

"Much Ado is essentially about the exhilarating emotions of first love and the romantic games that we all play.

"We are really looking forward to evoking a fascinating and victorious era with fantastic characters, live music, and lots of popular songs."

If Shakespeare's your thing, you're also in for a treat when the touring company brings an innovative interpretation of Hamlet to the region.

The spokeswoman added: "In Hamlet's almost puritanical search for the truth, he uses humour and passion in equal measures to strip away at the masks of deceit and the machinations of power.

"As relevant now as ever before, this fundamental theme cannot be lost on today's audiences as the cunning faade of politics is exposed behind the skulduggery of war.

"Our version of Hamlet promises to be a thought-provoking view on this ageless classic. Combining the great theatricality of masks with specially created live music, these extreme characters and their extraordinary relationships are brilliantly brought to life."

And, after years of specialising in Shakespeare, Heartbreak Productions is now diversifying, and has added Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest to its summer tour.

"It's a riotous and outrageously inventive show that will enhance the comic and farcical scenarios that are so famous in this world-renowned play," concluded the spokeswoman.

l Much Ado About Nothing will be at Hanbury Hall in Droitwich, on Friday, July 15, Wickhamford Manor, near Evesham, on Sunday July 17, and Witley Court, near Worcester, on Wednesday, July 27, and Thursday, July 28.

l Hamlet will be staged at Dean Close School, in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, on Friday, July 15, and Nash's House, Stratford-upon-Avon on Sunday, August 7.

l The Importance of Being Earnest takes place at Witley Court on Wednesday, July 13, and Thursday, July 14; Wickhamford Manor, on Friday, July 22, and Hergest Croft Gardens, Hereford, on Monday, August 15.

centre stage

Well, Cider With Rosie has come and gone, and with it the 40th anniversary gala night to celebrate the opening of the Swan Theatre.

The play seemed to go terrifically well, and had some wonderful reviews (including the Worcester News). Audiences were extremely kind, and quite a few people came twice having enjoyed it so much the first time.

The cast worked really hard, and despite the near-unbearable heat, turned in awesome performances every night. It was great. I loved every moment of it.

The anniversary night was wonderful. Huge numbers of people who have been important to the theatre over the years were there, and it was a great re-union.

The heat was pretty savage during the performance (now we all know what it was like in the Black Hole of Calcutta) but everybody seemed to have a good time, and a lot of people were able to renew old friendships. For me, it was all a bit of a blur.

I had spent weeks planning and preparing, and then the evening just shot by, not least because I was caught up with some of the logistics, like making sure 300 people got fed and watered.

At the end, I realised that there were masses of people I hadn't had a chance to see or to talk to. If you were one of them, many apologies, but it was just one of those nights.

The Swan is a fantastic theatre. Long may it stay open, long may it thrive, and here's to the 50th anniversary night. I hope I'm still here to see it.

ON STAGE: Castle TO host proms

A SPITFIRE flying display, spectacular fireworks finale and music of the Proms is to be performed at Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire.

The British Concert Orchestra will perform at the event as the audience enjoys picnics in glamorous surroundings.

Songs will include smash hits from shows such as Phantom of the Opera, and for more information about the event, taking place on Saturday, July 23, visit www.promsconcert. co.uk

collectors' fair FILM, sci-fi, music and cult television fans are in for a treat when a show selling a host of memorabilia comes to the Midlands next month.

The Memorabilia Show returns to Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre on Saturday, August 13, and Sunday, August 14, and is ideal for collectors of all sorts of paraphernalia.

try out for oliver

BUDDING thespians who fancy treading the boards alongside professional actors have a chance to perform in the musical Oliver at Hereford's The Courtyard.

Anyone interested in auditioning is asked to contact Mel Langford on 01432 346500 or e-mail mel.langford@courtyard. org.uk

teen SOUL SINGER

BRITISH teen soul sensation Joss Stone has announced a debut performance at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena Academy on Wednesday,

December 14.

The songstress has had fantastic chart success with the release of hit singles from her first two albums, including Fell In Love With A Boy and Super Duper Love (Are You Diggin' On Me.)

ROUND-UP: THEATRE

BREATHTAKING DANCE

Magic of the Dance -- an Irish dancing group - will be performing at the Birmingham Hippodrome from Monday, July 11, until Saturday, July 16. It has been described as a "breathtaking" show.

seaside shell spells

A Victorian magical melodrama aimed at children aged five to 11 will be staged at Tewkesbury's The Roses theatre on Thursday, July 28, and is entitled Mr Shell's

Seaside Spells.