THE beautiful surroundings of Stubbings House were the perfect setting for the Garden Players' production of The Merchant of Venice.

William Shakespeare's tale of justice and retribution was brought to life outdoors in the grounds of the Grade II Listed manor house near Maidenhead, on a warm summer's evening that had an apt Mediterranean feel to it.

Director Paul Seddon decided to give the story a modern twist, setting it in a Venice ruled by Mussolini just before the outbreak of World War Two.

It made the role of Shylock the Jew all the more poignant, set against a backdrop of anti Semitism that was rampaging its way through Europe in the lead up to hostilities.

Appropriately it was David Bukht, cast into the villain-in-chief's role in what was his first production with the Garden Players, who was the undoubted star of the show. He took to what is a notoriously difficult part to perform with aplomb - worrying the audience he would actually cut the pound of flesh he was owed from Antonio with the knife he spent his time vexatiously sharpening, in the menacing style of an Elizabethan Brick Top.

Unexpected audience interaction involving Graham Weeks' Launcelot Gobbo raised ripples of laughter, while a colourful performance from Tim Harling, cast in the role of Bassanio, also warmed the heart on a mild Midsummer Night.

It's clear there are a number of talented actors among the Garden Players and seeking out one of their shows will provide a fine way to spend an evening.