PLAYS In The Park opened the third season at Woburn Abbey this week with Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to the delight of the crowds.

It's not easy performing open air theatre but the members of the Chapterhouse Theatre Company, who are celebrating their 10th year in the business, make it look remarkably easy.

A nearby tree black with cawing crows, European and long-haul flights on their way to Heathrow and Luton, and the music from a nearby wedding reception meant that the cast had more than the usual distractions.

But luckily, considering last year's performance of The Tempest was sympathetically accompanied by lashing rain, the weather wasn't one of
them.

There's a certain elegance and informality to enjoying theatre under the stars. It's also a very accessible way for those unfamiliar with the writer's work to enjoy tales dealing with epic themes of love, jealousy, loyalty and honour.

The setting is intimate, surrounded, as you are at Woburn this year, by a selection of wonderful sculptures that merit browsing before the production begins.

Amid the splendour, in the grounds of one of Britain's grandest family homes, the incoming audience set up their stalls. Out come the folding chairs and tables, picnic rugs and hampers.

Before you know it families are enjoying an outdoor feast as the strolling band of mummers circulate, pressed into dual service as programme sellers and scene shifters.

Romeo and Juliet was presented in its traditional form. There were no attempts to update the location, add music or dance, or deter from The Bard's telling of star-crossed teenage lovers at odds with their families.

All but three of the hard-working cast took two roles in the performance and were adept at quickly changing their costumes, hairstyles and demeanours in a nearby tent.

The bearded Peter Phillipson, looking like a young Russell Crowe, first appeared as the fiery and headstrong Tybalt, Juliet's short-tempered cousin who is prone to draw his sword at the mention of the Montague name.

Dressed in black he more than earned his nickname "Prince of Cats" given to him by the foppish Mercutio.

But moments later young Peter reappeared as the innocent Paris, potential suitor to Juliet and the transformation was effortlessly made.

And so it was throughout the story. Tomas Loftus, striking as the outspoken and rakish Mercutio, close friend of Romeo and the first to defend his chum's honour, later assumed the role of Romeo's father with less impact.

Romeo David Degiorgio and Juliet (Kasia Halpin) made believable young lovers, the former exuding petulance and the shallowness of youth while the latter displaying an innocence and child-like quality, although there were times when she needed a louder voice to compete with the background noise.

Greg Patmore brought weight and maturity to the role as patriarch Lord Capulet while Stephanie Willson made a likeable and garrulous nurse.

The company return this Saturday with Midsummer Night's Dream and my advice for anyone venturing out - ignore the blistering heat of the day and wrap up warmly in fleeces and woolly jumpers.

While the passion may be on the makeshift stage it gets pretty frosty sitting in the stalls.

Midsummer Night's Dream starts at 7pm but the gates open at 6pm to allow picnicking.

For tickets and information contact the box office 01525 290333 or online at www.woburn.co.uk/abbey/theatre