The company’s outdoor theatre has been plagued by wet weather for the past two years, forcing shows to be cancelled and sending crowds running for cover.

But producer Juliet Scrine is hopeful this year will be different.

Scrine and director Ian McColm are set to stage their latest Shakespeare season in January, in the hope of dodging the pesky rain clouds.

‘‘The first year we staged the shows in January and we were really lucky, I think we only had to cancel one performance due to the weather,’’ Scrine said.

‘‘We’re hoping that time of the year will be lucky for us again; it’s a beautiful time to watch Shakespeare outside as you have those balmy summer nights’’.

The company has also moved their annual show to the University of Wollongong, partnering with the UniCentre to present play As You Like It on the McKinnon Lawn.

McColm said the lawn’s leafy setting was the perfect backdrop, offering audiences a stunning environment to watch the show.

‘‘We’ve tried to make the show fast-paced and fun so there isn’t a moment when your eyes wander, but if they do, audiences have a great place to look at,’’ he said.

‘‘The show is very minimalistic because we are in such a beautiful location. I didn’t want to take away from that with lots of set or props; I wanted it to be driven by the words and the actors’’.

As You Like It tells the tale of a cruel duke who banishes his niece from his kingdom so she runs away with his daughter and the court fool. They take on different personas and venture into the garden, creating the ideal set-up for mistaken identity, missed opportunities and lots of physical comedy.

McColm said the cast, a mix of old faces and newcomers, had a ball with the script and story, enjoying the chance to create somethingdifferent. ‘‘It’s great that we’ve had actors come back and ask if they could be part of the production again, but we’ve also got a couple of new people,’’ he said.

‘‘The young ones have really brought the play to life, they’re having a lot of fun and it’s great to be able to give them the opportunity to work in the industry.

‘‘This show is just so much fun and it’s so different to other cultural experiences.’’

As You Like It will be staged on Friday and Saturday nights from 7pm and Sundays at 4pm. 

Audiences are encouraged to bring a blanket, low deck chair and a picnic basket.

Parking is available in the P5 parking and is free on the weekends. 

AS YOU LIKE IT

McKinnon Lawn, University of Wollongong, January 23 to February 1

Tickets: trybooking.com