IT’S that time of year again when Oxford’s theatre goes outdoors.

The Oxford Playhouse’s Playhouse Plays Out is launched on Tuesday, July 21, with a two-week run of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.

The play is brought to Oxford by Globe Theatre on Tour and is performed in the stunning setting of the Bodleian’s Old Schools Quadrangle.

Much Ado About Nothing is the tale of two sets of lovers, one pair is Claudio and Hero, who love each other dearly and are destined to marry, that is until Don John plans to spoil the wedding by convincing Claudio that Hero has been unfaithful.

Initially the plot works and Claudio says he wants nothing more to do with Hero, however, he finds out he has been tricked and Hero is innocent.

Heartbroken he agrees though to marry someone else, whose face he will not see until after he is married.

When he does he is delighted to find he has actually married his beloved Hero.

For the other couple, Benedick and Beatrice the path to romance is not quite as simple, because neither will admit that they are in love with each other.

It seems nothing is capable of bringing them together until a resentful prince forces Benedick to question his loyalty and prove where his love lies.

As with many of Shakespeare’s plays, the story is complex, with a dash of comedy and lots of dramatic suspense.

The Playhouse Plays Outdoors is a fantastic Shakespearean treat, performed in a stunning setting and has become cultural highlight for the city.

The play runs from Tuesday, July 21, to Sunday, August 2.

Tickets £20.50 and £22.50 and are available from the Oxford Playhouse box office on 01865 305305.

Alternatively you can visit oxfordplayhouse.com.