THE language of Shakespeare will fill the air in Pendley in August as a popular festival returns once more.

The Pendley Shakespeare Festival, Tring, began in 1949 when it was founded by Dorian Williams amid the finery of his magnificent ancesteral home.

Now an amazing 62 years later the festival continues in the grounds of the manor house.

This year the actors will bring The Winter's Take and The Merry Wives of Windsor the audiences.

Helen Mumby, the festival director said: “The 2011 Festival is shaping up to be a fantastic pair of plays. We are delighted to welcome back Nick Bayley to direct – Nick was last involved in the Festival as an actor over 30 years ago.

“His production of The Winter’s Tale promises to bring out the drama, magic and fun of the story in our beautiful pastoral setting. We also can’t wait to welcome back local actor Darren McIlroy as the lecherous philanderer Sir John Falstaff – Darren is very thin in real life, so we will either have to feed him up on cakes and ale before the production, or pop some padding on him.”

The festival runs form August 2 to 13. Grounds open at 6pm- either bring a picnic or have a meal at the restaurant at the hotel.

John Branston played Falstaff in 1980 and remembered he has problems with his own fat suit. He said: “The only alarming moment was after the matinee. It had been sweltering, and my ‘fat-suit’ was soaked in sweat.

“The costume people took it down to the boiler room and hung it on a pipe. Alas, one of the cleaners opened the door, and burst out screaming at what she took to be a suicide victim hanging there.”

The Winter's Tale is on from August 2 to 6 and The Merry Wives of Windsor from August 9 to 13 at 8pm.

Ticket prices range from £16 to £24. Call the box office on 01442820060 or go to www.pendleyshakespearefestival.co.uk. Tickets can usually be purchased on the day from the outside box office.