“This is the third time I’ve seen a British Shakespeare Company production and this was probably the best. The play’s director Robert J Williamson has assembled a hugely impressive cast and there were fine performances throughout.

Many eyes were on former EastEnders star Louisa Lytton, as Cobweb, who took to her role with aplomb. But if I had to single out one of the cast it would be Steven Blakeley whose irreverent Puck set the tone for the rest of the play.

Williamson’s playful direction maintained the lively pace and by the end of a riotous performance the actors deserved every drop of applause from an appreciative audience” Chris Bond, Culture section, Yorkshire Post 31st July 2009 

Last night was the opening night of Much Ado About Nothing in Leeds and was a huge success. See Gallery for more photos.

Louisa Lytton as Hero and Gabriel Thomson as Claudio.

Robert J Williamson as Benedick with Marsha Swann playing Beatrice.

Mark Arden as Dogberry and Steven Blakeley proved to be a great comedy double act.

Our tour opens in Leeds tonight and the fairies were busy rehearsing in the Abbey this afternoon while being filmed by ITV Calendar. Ian White (below) from BBC Leeds carried out live interviews with the cast for BBC Look North. The covered grandstand is ready and the final touches are being made, so do come along, tickets are available on the door. Hope to see you!

Photos (top) Daniela Lavender as Titania and (middle photo) Louisa Lytton as Cobweb. BBC Leeds’ Ian White (bottom photo) interviews Gabriel Thomson and Daniela Lavender.

“Director Robert J Williamson brought us a show that was crystal clear and fun from the start. Everybody secretly loves Peter Quince and the mechanicals the best (well, I do) and what a treat they were. Mark Arden as Peter Quince was the closest thing to perfection in the role I’ve ever seen. Then again, David Vale as Snout was a lesson in the watching, especially with his hairy brown spaniel in the last act. Even the telly talent could hold the stage: Heartbeat’s Steven Blakeley squeezed every ounce out of Puck.” Eve Stabbing, Eastern Daily Press, 17th July 2009

Tickets for the Leeds Shakespeare Festival are now on sale through Leeds Grand Theatre box office on New Briggate, also online at www.leedsgrandtheatre.com or by telephone on 0844 848 2701 and Leeds Visitor Centre at Leeds City Railway Station. Telephone: +44 (0)113 2425242.Full details are on the Leeds Shakespeare Festival booking information page.

Please tell your friends and work colleagues and help make the 14th Leeds Shakespeare Festival a real success!

UPDATE: TICKETS ARE SELLING AT OUR FASTEST RATE EVER - SO PLEASE BOOK NOW AS MANY DATES WILL SELL OUT.

To add to the uniqueness and spectacle of each venue, we are looking for boys to play ‘The Indian Changeling Boy’ and 2 girls to play additional fairies in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. They will perform alongside Louisa Lytton who is playing Cobweb the lead fairy and the rest of the cast.

We are casting these parts with different performers at each venues and they would suit girls that are perhaps interested attending drama school and wish to learn as well as enjoy this great opportunity.

Girls need to be no taller than 5 feet 4 inches, playing age 16-25 and must be size 8. Boys age 6-7 years and interested in theatre.

Please email Robert@britishshakespeare.com with a photo and short note as to why you would wish to do this and any experience and which venue you live close to.

Photo: Cyril Byrne at The Irish Times

Extra tickets for this weeks shows at Norwich Cathedral are available. You will need to bring your own folding seats or a blanket to sit on. Tickets will be sold on the door on the evening. This event has been sold out for months but we now realise the venue will hold a little more than the 500 capacity we originally put on the event!

See Photo Gallery to see photos from the show.

Louisa Lytton has just been chatting with Lorraine Kelly about the excitement and the challenge of playing Cobweb and Hero on the BSC 2009 tour. SEE VIDEO CLIP

We are delighted to announce Louisa Lytton will be taking over the roles of Hero in Much Ado About Nothing and Cobweb in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.These roles were originally to be played by Roxanne Pallett who injured herself during her Dancing on Ice tour and felt she could not tour.

Louisa is a wonderful actress and we are very pleased she has just become available and is able to join the tour. She is best known for her roles of P.C. Beth Green (2007 & 2008) in The Bill and Ruby Allen (2005 & 2006) in EastEnders for the BBC. She also appeared in Strictly Come Dancing reaching the quarter finals. We are sure she will make a great addition to the tour.

Tickets are on sale for our shows at Kentwell Hall in Suffolk. We will be performing A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Much Ado About Nothing in the beautiful gardens Friday 24th to Sunday 26th July 2009.

UPDATE: TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE. Telephone 01787 310 207 or full details - click here. Please do come along for a fabulous night out!