THREE performances of Shakespeare’s Macbeth will be performed in July at the St Lawrence ground at Canterbury, headquarters of Kent County Cricket Club.

The cricket ground will become an open-air theatre for the first time in its 158-year history and is evidence of a new entertainments policy at the venue.

The cricket club's marketing manager Jon Fordham said: “We have this big expanse of greenery that is only being used on 50-odd days a year. We would like to use it on 365 with a variety of events in addition to the cricket.

“We want promoters to have confidence in us as a venue and the Shakespeare will help us build up our expertise and experience.

“We are already very good at staging cricket, and I’m sure we’ll be just as good at staging theatre. Next down the line it could be Elton John, Oasis or U2.”

Macbeth is considered by many to be Shakespeare’s ultimate thriller, centred as it is on murder, power and corruption.

It will be performed in July on a temporary stage in front of the Sir Colin Cowdrey stand, and organisers have set an upper limit of 750 seats for each of the three performances. Picnics will be encouraged with audience members allowed to bring their own food although some of the bars at the ground will be open.

The theatre company is the prestigious Lord Chamberlain’s Men, named after the troupe with which Shakespeare himself acted some 400 years ago.

The 21st-century model spurns all modern-day theatrical tools, such as microphones or special effects. And just as in Shakespeare’s day, all the roles are played by men, so that the cricket ground audiences will face the rarity of a 'male’ Lady Macbeth.

Mark Puddle, the company’s artistic director, said: “We attempt to recreate the world of Shakespearean theatre as accurately as possible. The production will include historically relevant costume, music, dance and stage fight.

“Lack of microphones should not be a problem as we expect the actors’ voices to ring out around the ground. It is indeed a most unique setting and one we are very much looking forward to performing in.”

Macbeth will be performed at 1.30pm and 7.30pm on Wednesday, July 20, and at 7.30pm on Thursday, July 21. Tickets, at £11 in advance, £12 on the night, or £7.50 for children, through the cricket ground on 01227 456886.