Love’s Labour’s Lost by William Shakespeare (Stamford Shoestring Theatre)

Love’s Labour’s Lost is one of Shakespeare’s most beguiling comedies. The King of Navarre and three companions swear an oath to study and to create ‘a little academe’ which will be the ‘wonder of the world’. They must go into retreat for three years and give up worldly pleasures – including women.

When a Princess arrives with her ladies-in-waiting, the whole scheme is placed in jeopardy. Human nature is soon at war with high-minded ideals.

Hailed by Guardian drama critic Michael Billington as one of the 101 greatest plays ever written, Love’s Labour’s Lost shows the full flower of Shakespeare’s genius for the first time.

Stamford Shoestring Theatre is the resident amateur at the Arts Centre