THE grounds of Brympton House near Yeovil will be brought to life when it hosts its first open-air theatre performance today.

Quantum Theatre Company will perform a production of Dickens’ Great Expectations within the gardens at Brympton d’Evercy.

It is the first time such a performance will be held in the grounds and is one of a series of open-air performances organised at locations throughout the district with support from South Somerset District Council.

Since 2005, the district council has been helping parish councils to organise performances which are now almost all self-funding.

Brympton Parish Council approached the owner of Brympton d’Evercy, Judge Glossop, who has given permission for the production to be held within the gardens of the property.The council’s arts development officer, Pauline Burr, said: “In the first year, South Somerset District Council helped the parishes bring a production of Midsummer Nights Dream to Langport Town Garden and Whitelackington Manor.

“That inspired other parish councils to press for similar events in their areas and we were able to support events in Aller, Langport and Ilminster.”Leisure spokesman, Cllr Sylvia Seal, said: “The main aim is to give local people the opportunity to enjoy high quality performances in their own neighbourhoods.

“If the parish makes a profit from the event we suggest they invest that money into future arts related activities for their communities. It’s about kick-starting projects so that many people can enjoy the benefits.”

In recent years Brympton House has been the setting for big budget films including Chocolat with Johnny Depp and Restoration with Hugh Grant.

Most recently the BBC adaptation of Henry James' ‘Turn of the Screw’ was filmed at Brympton in the summer of 2009.

Gates will open at 1pm. Picnic lunches are encouraged. The performance will begin at 3pm.

Tickets cost £10, or £7 for under-16 and over-65, available from the Forum Café on Abbey Manor Park and Liz James, clerk to Brympton Parish Council, 01935-424332.