A THURROCK nature park is opening its gates to host a Shakespearean performance this coming weekend.

Essex Wildlife Trust invites residents to an outdoor performance of Twelfth Night at Thameside Nature Discovery Park near Mucking on Sunday, 20 July at 3pm.

The event is described as 'a unique experience where nature and theatre come together'.

A romantic comedy being brought back to life through Southend Shakespeare Company and will star Brioney Evans, previously seen in the company's production of the Tempest.

Twelfth Night is a fast-paced comedy with romantic plots, mistaken identities and practical jokes. It tells the story of a woman who disguises herself as a man and falls in love with her employer.

Ms Evans, a rising star within the company, says her love for theatre roots from her love of literature. She adds as a child she would read late into the night but never participated in school productions as they were all musicals which she claims that "singing stays in the shower for me."

And she praises colleagues within the company for lifting her social life, saying before she joined her circle of friends was limited but since joining, she has found a "wider sense of community...with people from a more diverse walks of life".

Southend Shakespeare company has been running since 1951 and you can find out more about the company via this link. It has already produced Twelfth Night twice this summer, and will do so again on Saturday at Belfairs Woodland Centre. Further performances will follow at Leigh Library Gardens.

Entry for Sunday's performance at the Thameside Nature Park  is £5, payable on arrival. Booking is not required. Take your own seating or rugs.