DECK chairs, chalets and bunting everywhere. Not sure this is what William Shakespeare imaged when he penned Twelfth Knight but the Proteans always like to put their own spin on things.

Stepping into the Walled Gardens at the Down Grange Sports Complex, you are transported to the holiday camp of Illyria – think Butlins but even more bizarre.

In true Shakespearian style there is over the top characters, cross dressing and laughs a plenty.

This open-air adaptation of the Shakespeare much-loved comedy is certainly one I have never experienced.

The story centres on the twins Viola (Sasha Keeley) and Sebastian (Martin Palmer), who are separated in a shipwreck leaving Viola to go as a lady in disguise serving the Duke of Illyria, Duke Orsino (Gordon Sutton).

This is a tale of manipulation and love, but at its heart is mischief and while Keeley does a grand job of leading the main narrative, it is the appearance of Sir Toby Belch (James Broad) and Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Charlie Lamacraft-Perrett) where the laughs are going to come.

The pair bounce off each other extremely well playing the drunk fools, and the constant running gag in the second act of Lamacraft-Perrett’s prolonged goodbyes as he exits the stage have perfect comedy timing.

This being said in terms of comedic performance William Jones, playing Feste and Jeanette Hobden, portraying Maria, were the ones who truly embodied their characters. Hobden in particular where Malvolio (Bryn Strudwick) is delivering his monologue, she was sat among the audience eating pizza.

With the vast space of the Walled Gardens at their disposal the Proteans made use of every bush, path and tree to really immerse themselves and their audience into the environment.

To really make you getting into the holiday camp spirit all the male performers, minus Sutton, are wearing blazers and during the interval there is a light hearted game of bingo.

Twelfth Night is running as part of the Basingstoke Festival all weekend, with performances at 7pm today (June 16) and 4pm tomorrow (June 17).

For more information visit proteustheatre.com.