OPEN-air Shakespeare returns to Skipton Castle next weekend - but with a one-man show.

Dean Taylor and his theatre group were last in town two years ago with The Merry Wives of Windsor and in 2013 with Jeffrey Barnard is Unwell.

Illness prevented Dean's appearance last year, breaking a ten-year run of twice yearly performances, but next Saturday, July 11, Dean will present two one-man shows in a day.

Under the banner Shakespeare's Summer Other Tales, people will be treated to Macbeth Speaks and The Actor's Apology - and picnics are welcome.

Macbeth Speaks will see one of the Bard's most dramatic and tragic figures brought back to life in modern times, while The Actor's Apology tells the story of one of the finest Shakespearean actors of his time who became a hopeless drunk and was forced to apologise to his audience.

Each piece has been adapted by Dean Taylor from plays written by John Cargill Thompson.

“The plays were bequeathed by my friend, the actor Gordon Rowe, of Coronation Street and Last of the Summer Wine," said Dean.

“He died of cancer in 2007 unable to perform the plays which were written for him. He passed them to me by way of Dorothy, his wife."

He added: “We are proud to be returning Shakespeare to Skipton Castle, he's at home there.”

Dean plans to return next year with a full cast of actors to perform more Shakespeare.

Macbeth Speaks will be performed at 2pm and The Actor's Apology at 7pm. Tickets cost £8 for the matinee, £10 for the evening, and £15 for both.

To book, telephone the box office on 01772 466 256 or online at deantaylorproductions.co.uk, or email dtproductions@blueyonder.co.uk