THEATRE company The Pantaloons return to Bridge End Gardens in Saffron Walden for two days of open-air Shakespeare mayhem this weekend. A hilarious and fast-paced production of Twelfth Night will be performed at 7.30pm on Friday August 28 and at 2.30pm an

THEATRE company The Pantaloons return to Bridge End Gardens in Saffron Walden for two days of open-air Shakespeare mayhem this weekend.

A hilarious and fast-paced production of Twelfth Night will be performed at 7.30pm on Friday August 28 and at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday.

Actress Caitlin Storey said: "Our style is accessible for everyone: from little children who enjoy the custard pies and Harry Potter references, to teenagers who discover a fun new way to approach their Shakespeare studies.

"Everyone loves the interaction, the fun nature and the lively music - all nestling comfortably amongst Shakespeare's original verse.

"In our productions the audience's imagination is just as important as ours - we invite them into the world of the play and a scene's direction can completely change based on an audience member's suggestion."

By making the clowns an integral part of the show, The Pantaloons bring a genuinely traditional element back to Shakespeare's work, making it accessible to people of all ages without dumbing down.

The Pantaloons formed in 2004 at the University of Kent and their reach, popularity and reputation has grown each year.

The company have tackled classics such as Romeo and Juliet, Cymbeline, A Midsummer Night's Dream and 2008 saw their most successful show yet, The Taming of the Shrew. This year's Twelfth Night promises to be fast-paced, brimming with comic energy, and full of contemporary twists to make this much-loved tale even more memorable.

Tickets are priced at �5/�8 in advance and �8/�12 on the door, available from Saffron Walden Tourist Information Centre or The Pantaloons' website www.thepantaloons.co.uk