AWARD-WINNING theatre company Red Rose Chain is back for the 9th year in Suffolk's Rendlesham Forest this summer, with Willliam Shakespeare's gripping love story Romeo and Juliet (August 6th-24th). Probably Shakespeare's most famous love story, Romeo & Juliet is a story of reckless passion and fearless love.

Romeo's family, the Montagues, have got everything. Abeautiful house, acres of land and money beyond imagining. In fact, everything is perfect... Except the Capulet family next door! With both sides unwilling to back down, a bitter fight begins which threatens to tear the town apart. In the middle of all this hatred, Juliet finds Romeo and their whirlwind romance sets them on a catastrophic course that can only lead to one end...

Last summer saw a record number of audience members, with over 6000 people making their way to the forest centre. The event is fast becoming the biggest outdoor theatre event in the region and Director Joanna Carrick is ambitious for this summer's show:
"I'm aiming for this year's theatre in the forest to be the most dynamic and spectacular yet. Romeo & Juliet has something for everyone with romance, violence and, believe it or not, a great deal of comedy."

Suffolk-based actor and Red Rose Chain regular Jimmy Grimes returns to the forest after a last year's success as Hamlet. But the real surprise is stunning newcomer Natasha Pring, who blew the company away during auditions earlier this year. "Natasha is a gem of a find for us," says Carrick. "She's a perfect Juliet and sparks off Jimmy's smouldering Romeo exquisitely."

Red Rose Chain's has built a reputation for innovative and accessible theatre and their next production is aiming to show Shakespeare tragedy in a totally new light. The company is currently working on designs that set the bitter fighting and passionate romance against the backdrop of a modern Romany Gypsy community.

Will the lovers survive the traumas of their polarised cultures?
Will there be a balcony or does Romeo have to shimmy up a tree risking splinters in his hose?
Will... why did you have to write such brilliant plays?

Rendlesham Forest is the place to find out in August!

Tickets for Romeo & Julietgo on sale on Shakespeare's birthday, April 23, and are available from the Box Office (01473 288886) or online at www.redrosechain.com. Tickets are £16 (full), £13 (over 60s), £8 (concessions). EarlyBird and group discounts are available. Call the Box Office for details of Red Rose Chain's fantastic offers.

For further information about Red Rose Chain, please visit www.redrosechain.com.