A CRACKING piece of drama is being played out in one of Weymouth’s most historic venues this weekend.

The town’s drama club is performing Shakespeare’s The Tempest at the Nothe Fort, overlooking Weymouth harbour, from tomorrow until Saturday.

Weymouth Drama Club is one of several amateur groups in the country that have been chosen by the Royal Shakespeare Company to perform the bard’s plays over the summer.

Its members have been working with RSC representative Tim Ford, which has helped them with the production and held workshops about acting and outdoor performances.

Richard Grafton, who is directing the play, said: “We are really looking forward to the show, I think it will be fantastic. It is really coming together.

“Last week we rehearsed outside for the first time, which was very different for the cast. We used the warm-up exercises taught to us by Tim and they really helped.”

Cast members include Rob Tripp as Prospero, Gina Huntley as his daughter Miranda, Rachel Turberville-Smith as Ariel, while the court jesters Trinculo and Stephano have morphed into Trinny and Steph, alias Deborah Walton and Caroline Portsmouth. Antoinette Richards plays the part of grotesque slave Caliban. Alonso is performed by Simon Raynes, Sebastian by Paul Gorsuch, Antonio is played by Chris Walker and Gonzalo by Colin Clare.

Jemima Phillips is the boatswain and the ensemble cast is made up of Deborah Green, Zoe Hawkins, Julie Hook and Richard Hook.

Richard added: “The cast have realised that Shakespeare can be fun and they are at the point now where they really need to perform it in front of people, not just other club members.

“There are a lot of funny bits in the play, it isn’t heavy. It’s great entertainment, it’s magical and it’s fun and it will make a great night out.”

The Tempest is that Northe Fort from tomorrow until Saturday, June 18. Performances are at 7.30pm and tickets are available from the Pavilion theatre box office on 01305 783225.

The fort will be open from 6pm and all are invited to take a picnic and make an evening of it.