SHAKESPEARE’S rip-roaring comedy ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ comes to Powys for two outdoor performances next week.

The touring Three-Inch Fools company will be at Welshpool’s Powis Castle at 7pm on Tuesday, August 6; and at the Willow Globe Theatre at Penlanole, Llanwrthwl, near Rhayader, at 7pm on Wednesday, August 7.

The troupe will perform their musical take on the play with five actors playing all the characters and playing more than 20 different musical instruments, as they visit over 80 venues in more than 40 counties across Scotland, England and Wales.

Bringing stories to life through movement and music, they aim to engage those already familiar with Shakespeare’s work and to reach out to those who are yet to discover it.

They bring a contemporary take to the traditional touring troupe, bringing only what they need to provide an evening of entertainment: a pop-up stage, musical instruments, costumes and props.

The Three Inch Fools are an innovative touring theatre company acclaimed for their fast-paced and musically driven approach to Shakespeare.

Having made a name for themselves over the past five years as a company that creates vibrant and engaging theatre, this summer they embark on their largest tour yet, including some of Britain’s most unique and historically notable venues including castles, churches, stately homes, abbeys, gardens, arts centres, village greens, royal residences, museums and National Trust properties like Powis Castle.

The Three Inch Fools were founded in 2015 by Cumbrian brothers James and Stephen Hyde, and James said: “We can’t wait to get back on the road for what is our most extensive tour to date. Performing at such a wide variety of different venues means that we get to meet audiences from all over the country – and with more and more people coming each year we are proud to be a word of mouth hit. It’s lovely to see ever more families and younger audience members in the crowd.”

The cast comprises Samuel Freeman, Hazel Monaghan, Samuel Nunes de Souza, Emily Waters and Isobel Witcomb.

For Powis Castle tickets contact the National Trust box office on 0344 2491895, and for the Willow Globe contact 01597 811487.