TO mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, the HandleBards have announced their ‘4 for 400’ season – four Shakespeare plays, each performed by four actors who will cycle to over 70 venues across the country, with all of their set, props and costumes in tow.

This Friday (July 22) they’re stopping off at Raby Castle, near Staindrop, to perform their version of Richard III.

Audiences have been told to expect a “gloriously eccentric and very, very funny” night, delivered on eight very sore legs.

The tour is the HandleBards’ fourth UK season, having begun their adventure in 2013 with a 967 mile cycle from Glasgow to London.

Since then, the group have grown into an internationally successful theatre company, who have performed their brand of fast-paced, bicycle-powered Shakespeare in twelve countries across three continents, winning the support of legions of fans.

“With six plays and five thousand miles under our belt, we're ready for our biggest and most ambitious season yet!” producer and founder Paul Moss said.

“In this anniversary year, as a way of celebrating the life of the great British playwright, we are excited to put our first ever all-female troupe on the road alongside our internationally acclaimed all-male troupe.”

The HandleBards troupes, known for their on-going drive to promote sustainability within the arts, will be cycling 2,500 miles between them, taking different routes from London to Edinburgh.

They will perform an all male Much Ado About Nothing and Richard III, and all-female Romeo and Juliet and The Taming of the Shrew at castles, gardens, bicycle yards and stately homes throughout the country.

The boys troupe will be on tour until September 3, and the girls until September 10.

To find out more and book tickets for the Raby Castle show, visit rabycastle.com