A unique production of a Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy will be performed in an equally unique setting later this month.

Villages in Action, in collaboration with Wild Thyme, will be presenting Macbeth in The Italian Garden at Great Ambrook, near Ipplepen in South Devon, on July 17 and 19.

The Italian Garden at Great Ambrook, is a remarkable and largely hidden gem – a historic landscape garden of extraordinary character, tended by a passionate community of volunteers. Featuring walled terraces, a dramatic dell, ornamental features and rich planting, the garden provides a setting that feels almost purpose-built for what is Shakespeare's darkest drama.

Established to enliven and empower communities in Devon through engagement with the arts Villages in Action brings theatre, music, dance, circus, spoken word, storytelling, puppetry and poetry from around the world to village halls, churches and community spaces.

“Here's a garden here that most people have never seen, and this summer it becomes Macbeth's Scotland,” said Mair George the creative director of Villages in Action.

“That's the thrill of what we do: world-class work in the last places you'd expect it. None of it happens without the volunteers who quietly keep these hidden gems alive. “

Wild Thyme, founded by Charlie Coldfield and Micha Colombo, works with professional actors to breathe new life into classical texts.

Their vision is to give audiences an entertaining experience of quality Shakespeare close to home, and to give performers a platform to build community and develop their classical skills.

This very special semi-staged production of Shakespeare's most gripping tragedy casts one of the South West's most remarkable heritage landscapes as its stage.

A cast of three actors – Charlie Coldfield, Micha Columbo and Benjamin Akira Tallamy – move between courtly, soldierly and otherworldly characters, weaving a tale of ambition, blood and betrayal in the living landscape of The Italian Garden.

Directed by Jon Nash, this production asks where our loyalty truly lies – to loved ones, leaders, land or only to ourselves. These are not old questions. They are urgently, uncomfortably alive today.

These semi-staged performances of Macbeth are a change to our immersive, site-specific promenade production, as originally advertised. This is due to an injury suffered by title-role actor and Wild Thyme collaborator, Charlie Coldfield.

While this means that the audience will no longer follow the action through The Italian Garden’s historic spaces, attendees are still promised an intimate spectacle in a unique outdoor setting, with a fully dedicated cast.

The new format will also allow for a conversation with Wild Thyme after the show. This offers a chance for audience members to ask questions, share their thoughts and feed directly into the future of this production, which we hope to bring back to The Italian Garden in its originally planned arrangement.

There will two performance times at 2pm and 6pm daily and tickets for the production are priced at £15 (no concessions) and can be booked at www.ticketsource.com/villagesinaction/macbeth-at-the-italian-garden/e-rpeejz