This Midsummer Night’s Dream has everything; low comedy, furious falling outs, costume mishap opportunities galore and a magnificently rubbish lion. This solid evening of laughter and silliness under a bright July sky at Oxford Castle’s outdoor theatre is enormous fun, so grab a mug of hot chocolate and a blanket and settle under the moon, plummeting pigeons and occasional low-flying aircraft for the twisted tale of falling out and finding love.

From imperious beginnings, where an irritable Theseus (played with magnificent impatience by Edward Smith) dismisses and overrides Jade Khan, a marvellously romantic and passionate Hermia, we move rapidly to fast-fire screwball squabbling between Emily Hassan (a hilarious Helena) and the vacillating gentlemen. Cyd Cowley is a fabulously foppish young Lysander, swishing his greatcoat and flashing his socks. Billy Morton is a bluff Demetrius , blundering wildly into the nest of fairies and falling outs. The wartime setting sees Eleanor Dunlop, smart in her heels, entertaining the audience with stirring songs. The hats get wilder as the fairies arrive; more gothy goblin than airy fairies. Rachael Twyford makes her appearance as a busy, noisy, excitable Puck. Adam Wakeley’s Bottom is a bundle of laughs, irreverent and irritable and absurd. Isabelle Anderbjork is delightfully delicate as a lion, boisterously brash as a fairy. The doubling works well, actors riffing on their other roles, slipping seamlessly between forest and castle. Bethan Draycott is equally magnificent as imperious Hippolyta and otherworldly Titania. The rude mechanicals play, conceived as a barracks comedy review, delivers the biggest laughs of the evening.

With the sound and bustle of the city all around, each night is a different show. Different cast members slip into fresh roles, scatter their frock coats to the corners of the stage, and bring their very best to this family-friendly and extremely fun show.