ONE of the most respected theatre groups in the world returns to Littleport in March with a production of one of the great enduring works in the English language. The Royal Shakespeare Company, which brought highly successful productions of Julius Caesar

ONE of the most respected theatre groups in the world returns to Littleport in March with a production of one of the great enduring works in the English language.

The Royal Shakespeare Company, which brought highly successful productions of Julius Caesar and The Two Gentlemen of Verona to the village in 2004, returns with a critically acclaimed new adaptation of Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales.

The production, which will be performed at Littleport Leisure Centre between March 7 and March 11, is in two self-contained parts, which can each be seen in isolation and do not necessarily need to be seen in the right order.

Eleven leisure centres and schools across the UK will be visited as part of a huge tour that also includes performances in Washington and Barcelona.

On Monday, March 6, five 45-ft articulated lorries will arrive at Littleport Leisure Centre, carrying 50 tonnes of equipment, including the stage, seating, costumes and even the company's washing machine.

By Tuesday, hours of preparation will have transformed the sports hall into a fully-functioning professional theatre in time for the opening performance.

The Canterbury Tales follows a group of medieval pilgrims on their way to Canterbury from London, who stop during their journey to entertain one another with the liveliest stories they know. Part one of the RSC production recounts the Knight's, Miller's and Priest's tales while in part two, the Pardoner, Wife of Bath and Franklin step up to tell their stories.

INFORMATION: For tickets and more information, contact the box office on 01353 616991 or 616995. Tickets range in price from £15-£24, and 20 tickets for each performance, priced £5, will be available to young people between 16-25. Proof of age is required.