A PRESCOT church and its woodland gardens will come alive with fairies, sprites, and love potions, as the setting of a new production of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

After its May premiere at Prescot Parish Church, the play will tour woods and community gardens across Knowsley, Liverpool and Stratford-upon-Avon.

The production, which will be staged in the evening and afternoon, is the result of a three-way partnership between MATE Productions, Shakespeare North and the RSC Open Stages programme.

Gaynor La Rocca, artistic director of MATE Productions, said: "We are delighted to present this spectacular indoor and outdoor production; it will premiere in the beautiful 15th century church and woodland gardens of Prescot Parish Church."

She added: "With live musicians and singers, fairy dancers, stunning design and a talented local cast, this production promises to be magical, unique and very family friendly."

The drama sees the king and queen of fairyland having a furious row, as a pair of star-crossed lovers find themselves lost in a magical woodland where naughty sprites steal trinkets and toy with hapless humans.

Meanwhile, a group of amateur actors are in the forest rehearsing a play for the duke's wedding day, watched by the mischievous Puck, who makes sure love does not run smoothly.

Ahead of the performances, school children will make dream catchers and magical artefacts during workshops to hang on the trees and transform the woodlands.

Gaynor La Rocca said: "We are asking parents to bring their children to performances dressed as flower fairies or naughty sprites.

"There will be face painters before the show and during the interval - and children can choose fairy flower designs or the tribal markings of a sprite."

More than 100 actors, dancers, musicians, singers, sewers, crafters and volunteers, aged from eight to 79, have been working with MATE Productions team which includes theatre designer Adele Hayter - winner of the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Design prize 2014 - to create this outdoor performance of Shakespeare's most loved comedy.

Performances take place at Prescot Parish Church in Church Street on May 30 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, May 31 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm and June 6 at 7.30pm.

For information and tickets call 0151 281 8461, go to mateproductions.co.uk or visit Poco Coffee in Eccleston Street, Prescot.