A COMEDY of young lovers takes to the stage in Wilmslow this month.

‘The Two Gentlemen of Verona’ by William Skakespeare runs at The Green Room Theatre from Monday, March 18 to Saturday, March 24.

The drama features put-upon lovers, fierce outlaws and a dog with no manners.

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This is an opportunity to see one of Shakespeare’s earliest and rarely performed plays, by a company critically acclaimed for performing open air Shakespeare for the best part of 50 years at Gawsworth Hall.

 Directors Celia Bonner and Mike Rogerson said: “The play is about love, betrayal and disguise.

“To add to the fun, we’ve updated things by a fair few centuries, added a few songs, a live band and there’s a bit with a dog!

“A wooden dog on wheels called Crab.”

Audiences familiar with Shakespeare will enjoy spotting his first mention of ideas he comes back to in later plays.

These include a young woman disguised as a young man (Twelfth Night), a young man who deserts his true love for a while before coming to his senses (A Midsummer Night's Dream), a group of noble Outlaws (As You Like It), and bossy fathers who object to their children's choice of partner.

The plot of this play sees Proteus, who is head over heels in love with Julia, reluctant to leave Verona.

Meanwhile, his best friend, Valentine is intent on improving himself through travel and adventure and leaves for Milan without Proteus.

The two friends are quickly reunited when Proteus is forced to go to the Duke’s court in Milan under his father’s orders.

There they both fall deeply in love with the Duke’s daughter, Silvia.

Despite having already promised himself to Julia, Proteus vows to take Silvia for himself.

Blinded by his love for Silvia, Proteus sets out to destroy his relationships with Valentine and Julia.

Julia arrives in Milan under the disguise of a man named Sebastian to confront Proteus herself.

Using the ploy of disguises, true love prevails and the friends are reconciled.

To book visit greenroomwilmslow.org.uk.

Performances start at 7.30pm with a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday.

Tickets priced £10 for members, £12 full price.