An award-winning theatre company is performing a Shakespeare play with a sci-fi twist.

Breakaway Theatre Company will perform The Tempest for its annual outdoor production in St Albans from Thursday, June 20, to Saturday, June 22, and Thursday, June 27, to Saturday, June 29.

The bard's last play, usually set on a deserted island near Italy, will be given a space opera twist when it comes to the Inn on the Park in Verulamium Park later this month, as the action has been moved to a cosmic setting.

Exiled Prospero plots to take her revenge on her wicked brother, Antonio, through magical spells and mystical spirits. But her monster servant, Caliban, has her own plans to kill her master, though her drunken companions are probably not the greatest would-be assassins. Whose plot will succeed and will anyone escape the desolate planet?

As well as the space theme, this innovative production is unusual in that the parts of Prospero, Caliban and Ariel, usually played by male actors, are all played by women.

Director Lesley Cowland said: “Shakespeare set the Tempest on a deserted island, which in the 17th century when travel wasn't so easy for the ordinary person, was an exotic place. There are no such places on Earth now, so to get that taste of the unknown, the logical setting was a distant planet.

“The play is Shakespeare's last and there are several pieces of prose in the production which will be instantly recognisable, including some of the most beautiful in the English language.

“The Tempest is studied by many schools and this unusual, fun production is a fantastic way to introduce children to the joys of Shakespeare.”

All performances start at 7.30pm and audience members are advised to dress for the weather.

Tickets can be purchased on Breakaway’s website: www.breakawaytheatre.com