PUPPETS will play the parts in a new version of Shakespeare's great erotic poem Venus and Adonis, which comes to Stratford next month.

The RSC has teamed with puppet theatre The Little Angel to present the masque, which will be performed at The Other Place for six weeks from Wednesday, November 10, after a run at The Little Angel in Islington.

Venus and Adonis was written in 1593, when theatres were closed because of the plague, and was such a success that 16 editions were published.

It tells the story of the sex goddess, Venus, and her obsession for the petulant and beautiful Adonis, who rejects her offer in favour of boar hunting. When he finally succumbs to her advances, the story ends in tragedy.

Inspired by both Japanese Bunraku puppets and Jacobean Court Masque, this production is directed by RSC associate director Gregory Doran.

Since May, an international group of puppet makers from the Czech Republic, Germany and South Africa has been hard at work in the Islington workshops, while the miniature costumes have been made much closer to home, in the RSC wardrobe department in Stratford.

The RSC advises that the production is unsuitable for children under the age of 14. Tickets cost between £14 and £20 and are available from the Box Office on 0870 609 1110.