DEAN Taylor theatre will make a welcome return to Skipton Castle in July with Sir Tom Stoppard's Heroes.

Families are invited to bring a picnic and settle down to enjoy the French comedy about three old soldiers with more than a nod to Last of the Summer Wine, and Dad's Army.

Actor and director, Dean Taylor, says Heroes has been adapted by Sir Tom by a play originally written by French playwright George Sibleyras

“Sir Tom is a true great among playwrights," he says. “I have been a huge, huge admirer since I directed his 1990 masterpiece Arcadia, a play I might propose as the finest piece written in the English language this last thirty years.”

Heroes is a comedy set in the French countryside of 1959. Three old boys from the First World War, Gustave, Henri and Phillippe, are at a 'soldiers home for heroes' run by the long suffering Sister Madeline.

The action is played out on a terrace, featuring a large, stone dog, where the three men carry out their dreams.

“We're Crusaders, gentlemen, sabres drawn : after tea we escape," says Gustave.

Dean describes Heroes as a feel-good play in the same vein as Last of the Summer Wine, or Dad's Army.

And he hopes plenty of old friends, and those new to the production company, will be pleased to see them back at Skipton Castle.

“We’re proud to resume our association with Skipton Castle. This will be our 11th outdoor production to present at this remarkable venue," he says.

The Preston based theatre company appeared for the first time at Skipton Castle in 2005 with Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor.

It returned for nine more seasons of Shakespeare’s work followed with Keith Waterhouse’s comic masterstroke Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell.

Heroes will be performed twice on Saturday, July 15, at 2pm and at 6pm. Adults £15; children (7-16), £8, groups of six and more, £12.50. Tickets from Kathleen on 01772 466 256, or online at ticketsource.co.uk/dean-taylor-productions. Tickets may also be bought on the day of the event, if available.