THE boating lake in Burnley's Thompson Park provided the spectacular backdrop for a magical production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer-Night's Dream.

More than a hundred people braved the rain for the outdoor performance of the play which captivated the audience young and old alike.

The play -- one of Shakespeare's most magical and light-hearted -- was performed by the Chapterhouse Theatre Company, a Lincoln-based group, who are touring more than 90 places across the country with this production.

Producer Richard Main said the company toured with the play last year and the response of audiences prompted them to take the show back on the road.

He added: "A Midsummer-Night's Dream is my own favourite Shakespeare play. Last summer the company had a wonderful time touring this lovely play and it is largely due to the enthusiastic response of our audiences that led me to the decision to bring the show back to some venues and also to some new ones.

"The staff have brought together 94 separate performances in nearly every corner of the British Isles, which is no mean feat I can assure you."

The Burnley audience certainly gave an enthusiastic response to Bottom and co. Tony Brown, 42, of Richmond Hill Street, Accrington, said: "There's something special about an outdoor performance and this setting is lovely, despite the rain. I was very impressed with this performance and hope they come back next year." Sally Crowther, 36, of Victoria Road in Padiham said both her and children, Ben, seven, and Lucy, eight, had loved the performance.

She said: "People think Shakespeare is very serious and difficult to understand, but this play is a great introduction because it's quite light-hearted and very funny.

"The children were in stitches at some of the acting, and watching outside is wonderful."