Montgomery Castle and St Nicholas Church provided the perfect backdrop for this year's play at the castle, Illyria performed Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare to a delighted audience of 200.

This year was to be a special one for organiser Mike Mills who said "It's one of Montgomery's main attractions and highlights of the year leading up to the Montgomery Show and this performance marks the 10th running of plays at the castle."

The show at Montgomery Castle sees Viola, following a shipwreck, washed up in Illyria where her only chance for survival is to make use of her quick wit and fine singing voice, disguising herself as a man and applying to work in the court of Duke Orsino.

The lovesick Orsino sends “him” to lady Olivia to woo her on his behalf, but Viola's efforts are so successful that Olivia falls for Viola rather than Orsino. Meanwhile Olivia’s carousing uncle Sir Toby Belch crosses swords with her steward Malvolio and devises a wicked plan to humiliate him. It could all end in tears - even if most of them are of laughter.

Illyria presents an evening of yearning romance, music, and sheer joy - all performed on a stage inspired by those of the Elizabethan touring troupes.

More information about Illyria here

The cast

Amy Lockwood - Viola/Maria

Callum Stewart - Feste/Fabian/Sebastian/Valentine

David Sayers - Orsino/Toby Belch

MacKenzie Mellen - Olivia/Sir Andrew/Curio

Nick Taylor - Malvolio/Antonio