A WHEELCHAIR-BOUND magician shipwrecked on a desert island and unable to use his powers to help him escape.

We are, of course, talking Shakespeare's The Tempest with a twist.

Fortunately, however, Illyria Theatre Company has enough experience of staging charming and ethereal outdoor productions that their fairy-footed version of The Tempest counteracts Prospero the magician's mood-swings.

Blackburn's Bard-lovers have already had the chance to see the play when it came to Witton Park in June, but now Illyria is paying a return trip to East Lancashire, with a staging in Barrowford Park on Tuesday.

The multi-award-winning company will perform Shakespeare's most magical play on an Elizabethan-style stage.

Their play has been branded very funny by critics, but is also moving as the magician Prospero invokes a mighty storm to summon to his mysterious desert island all those who have wronged him in the past.

His daughter Miranda disobeys his orders and steals away to be with the son of Prospero's greatest enemy, Alonso.

It is recommended that the audience bring their own low-backed chairs or rugs and picnics.

Tickets are available from Mid Pennine Arts, Pendle Heritage Centre or the Tourist Information Office at Accrington Town Hall, priced at £8.50, concessions £6, under 16s £5 or a family ticket (two adults and two children) £24.