THE Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) visits York Theatre Royal on November 29 and 30 with its First Encounters With Shakespeare production of The Comedy of Errors.

For more than a decade the RSC has been taking these First Encounters productions - which are edited versions of the plays performed using Shakespeare’s original language - on the road into the heart of communities.

Directed and edited by Alex Thorpe, and primarily aimed at seven to 13 year olds, The Comedy of Errors will feature a gender-split cast of eight actors and actor-musicians.

Alex said: “The RSC’s First Encounters productions have a long and exciting history of not only giving young audiences their early experiences of Shakespeare and theatre, but also actively involving them in the making of it.

“This year I am delighted to be leading a company who will take things a step further. This production is being built around its audience and the places we visit.

“Extending and building on the play’s themes, the professional company of actors and actor-musicians will be joined by ensembles of young performers from across the UK to help tell some of the story.

“Ephesus, the play’s market town setting, will feel uncannily familiar as local communities work together to complete the stage’s design.

“My relationship with the RSC’s education department has seen me collaborate with and learn from teachers, artists and school groups right across the country.

“Being brought up in the north west market town of Kendal, the opportunity to take Shakespeare’s farcical comedy to locations that feel like home is the perfect way to share one of Shakespeare’s earliest works.”

Jacqui O’Hanlon, RSC director of education, said: “At the heart of our First Encounters with The Comedy of Errors tour are the regional theatres and schools we are privileged to work in collaboration with to create it.

“Many of us have our first encounter with Shakespeare at school, an experience which can define our attitude to live theatre and to Shakespeare for all of our lives.

“Together with our partner theatres we bring the excitement and wonder of Shakespeare’s work right into the heart of schools and local communities.

“We know that audiences for this work include significant numbers who are new to Shakespeare and to theatre.”

For tickets, phone the box office on 01904 623568 or go to yorktheatreroyal.co.uk