ONE of the biggest names in British acting is joining a theatre troupe to perform two lots of Shakespeare on Taunton turf next week.

From Friday, August 15, the GB Theatre Company will perform Macbeth and The Comedy of Errors at St Mary Magdalene vicarage in Taunton and Cothestone Manor near Bishops Lydeard.

Starring as Lady Macbeth is Joyce Branagh, sister of actor Sir Kenneth.

GB Theatre was set up by former crime scene policeman Barrie Palmer, who also founded the SURE charity at Musgrove Park Hospital.

Since graduating from Bristol Old Vic’s Theatre School, Barrie has acted in EastEnders, understudied Simon Callow, trod the RSC boards and performed in Victoria Wood’s Dinnerladies.

Audiences will be getting GB at their best, he says – just watch the weather forecast.

The GB Theatre company performs The Comedy of Errors in St Mary Magdalene vicarage garden on Friday, August 15, at 7.30pm, and Macbeth at 2.30pm and The Comedy of Errors at 7.30pm the following day.

On Sunday, August 17, the group performs The Comedy of Errors at 2.30pm and Macbeth at 7.30pm on the lawns of Cothelstone Manor near Bishops Lydeard.

Tickets cost £15 (£10 concessions) for afternoon performances and £18 (£14 concessions) for evening performances – book online at www.gbtheatre.com