SHAKESPEARE in the Park is coming to Keighley and Haworth this month.

The Bard’s comedy As You Like It will be performed at Central Park, Haworth, on June 23, and Cliffe Castle Park the following day.

Both venues will host an afternoon and evening performance of the tale of true love and hidden identities.

Saltaire Shakespeare will also present the play at their home village’s Roberts Park on June 16, 17 and 21, and July 7 and 8.

The community group is dedicated to performing Shakespeare to the general public free of charge.

The amateur actors started out in 2014 with Taming of the Shrew, and continued at Roberts Park until last year, when they expanded to perform at Kirkstall Abbey and Haworth’s Park.

A spokesman said: “We were extremely fortunate for those venues, and crowd numbers reached the 1000-plus mark at Kirkstall.

“With the help of a fine ensemble of cast and crew, and the support of family and friends, Shakespeare in the Park – Saltaire is about to embark upon its fourth summer season.”

Saltaire Shakespeare began after founder Steve Pearson was looking on the shelves in a small bookshop in Little Italy, New York, while holidaying in New York.

Having recently retired from long career as a psychiatric nurse, and with experience performing both on stage and on TV in his youth, he was on the lookout for books to spark his imagination.

He picked up Free For All by Joe Papp, the American producer who pioneered open-air Shakespeare productions in Central Park and surrounding boroughs of New York.

The spokesman said: “Joe Papp encountered many barriers along his way to bring free Shakespeare to the masses, in his beloved New York City, and had to fight many battles. He lost his job, was dragged through court, and black-listed, but he never backed down, insisting that theatre should be accessible and relevant to everyone. 

“To this day free Shakespeare in the Park is performed every summer, outdoors, in the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, and in the 60 years since it began, more than five million people have attended free performances – an amazing legacy!”

Steve wanted to bring the concept to his home town, settling on Roberts Park as the venue

As You Like It focuses on Rosalind who escapes to the Forest of Arden after being banished from the royal court by her uncle, the usurping Duke Frederick.

She disguises herself as a young man and, with her friends, encounters all sorts of strange and wonderful creatures.

Young noble man Orlando has decorated the forest in love rhymes to his Rosalind, so – disguised as the young man – she decides to teach him the ways of love, to ensure his love for her is real.

The romantic and farcical play, with its pastoral setting, is described as suitable for the whole family.

Visit saltaireshakespeare.com for details of times and booking.