SHAKESPEARE'S tale of disguise, comedy and love begins its run at Stratford's Swan Theatre this month.

Described as 'a sophisticated and exuberant comedy of life and love', As You Like It is set against the social and political events of Victorian England and moves from winter to spring and from the confines of court to the Forest of Arden.

Nina Sosanya takes on the role of Rosalind.

Best known as Jenny in the Channel 4 series Teachers, she has appeared at the RSC in Herbal Bed, Henry V, The Learned Ladies and The White Devil.

Orlando is played by Martin Hutson who recently appeared in Ghosts with Francesca Annis at the Comedy Theatre in the West End and in Another Country at the Arts Theatre.

The cast also includes Amy Finegan as Hisperia/Hyman, Naomi Frederick as Celia, Michael Hadley, as Duke and Aaron Neil as Oliver.

British Academy of Fencing coach and former British ladies' long bow champion Alison de Burge returns as fight director following previous work on A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Previews begin on March 13 and As You Like It runs initially until April 12 before returning in May.

Tickets cost £5-36 on 0870 609 1110 or www.rsc.org.uk