Outdoor theatre date planned for museum

Thoughts will turn to the winter of our discontent in the height of summer when a production of Shakespeare's classic Richard III comes to Ironbridge this weekend.

The Green at the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron will be the venue for the production on Sunday by the theatrical touring company Oddsocks.

Richard III is one of Shakespeare's best known works and the title role will be played by Andy Burrow, Oddsocks's founder and director who will be returning to acting after five years out.

The open air performance will begin at 7.30pm but the gates will open at 7pm when visitors are being invited to bring a picnic and rug, or low back chair, to sit on the grass and soak up the atmosphere.

It show will take place against the backdrop of the Old Furnace where Abraham Darby first smelted iron with coke 300 years ago and is part of the Coalbrookdale 300 celebrations.

Tickets are available from the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre or Blists Hill priced at £10 for adults, £8 for the over-60s and students, £6 for children under 12 and £28 for a family of two adults and two children.

Light refreshments will be available before the performance and during the interval. Call the Ironbridge Visitor Information Centre on (01952) 884 391 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk for details.