TOP hats, spats and silver-topped canes - that double as guns or swords - will feature in a Victorian-style production of Shakespeare's Richard II at Ludlow Festival.

Director Steven Berkoff said: "Richard was part of an Oxbridge, Harrow, Ascot set who believed in this wonderful land - this sceptr'd isle."

Timothy Walker, who played in Four Weddings and a Funeral and has appeared on TV in The Bill and Peak Practice, plays the luckless king who was deposed by Henry IV in 1399. Liza Sadovy, who recently appeared in an acclaimed production of The Dresser in Malvern, plays two roles, as the Duchesses of Gloucester and York.

The production marks the multi-talented Berkoff's Ludlow debut and is also the first time he has been invited to direct Shakespeare in the UK.

He explained he wanted to set the play "in Oscar Wilde's era, when the aristocracy demonstrated an overweening superiority that reflected the colonial attitude of the Victorian Empire. It has fantastic parallels with today.

"Of all Shakespeare, it is the most tangible play to send echoes around the British Isles about the dangers of imperialism, colonialism and nationalism."

Liza Sadovy will not be the only cast member to play more than one part. Apart from various lords, heralds, officers and a band of Welshmen, Shakespeare lists 26 characters but Berkoff has lined up a cast of 14.

"I'm thrilled to get the opportunity to direct this marvellous play," he said. "We're going to make it sensational, interesting, thought provoking and entertaining. It will also be a nice piece of friendly competition with Sir Trevor Nunn's production at The Old Vic."

Richard II runs from June 25 to July 9 and Berkoff will talk about the play at Ludlow College's Harley Centre on July 3.