SUFFOLK-based theatre company Red Rose Chain and law firm Ashton Graham have announced a headline sponsorship deal, which includes next year's Theatre in the Forest production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

SUFFOLK-based theatre company Red Rose Chain and law firm Ashton Graham have announced a headline sponsorship deal, which includes next year's Theatre in the Forest production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The Theatre in the Forest production, which takes place at Rendlesham Forest, has established itself as a landmark event in the region's calendar.

More than 9,000 people attended this year's open-air production of A Winter's Tale - and next year's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream promises to be another magical and entertaining show.

News of the sponsorship deal coincides with the opening of the box office for ticket sales - five months earlier than usual.

David Newborn, pProducer for the Red Rose Chain Film & Theatre Company, said: “Every year, the Theatre in the Forest production gets bigger and better. We have decided to open the ticket office to launch our new headline sponsorship agreement, which is a first for Red Rose Chain.

“We are a not-for-profit organisation and in this economic climate, where sponsorship of the arts has been reduced significantly, we are absolutely delighted that Ashton Graham has decided to support Theatre in the Forest.”

Besides the Theatre in the Forest events, Red Rose Chain works closely in the community by developing film and workshop programmes with schools, youth groups, prison inmates, young people in care, single parents and former drug users from the Iceni Project.

All workshops are aimed at giving the community a voice through original work and a chance to experience high quality art.

Matthew Potter, partner at Ashton Graham, said: “The Red Rose Chain team are a dynamic company whose talent and passion for the arts have given the region a new way of experiencing Shakespeare and the arts.

“They are also dedicated to delivering community based projects through their film and workshop program, giving the community a voice, opening the door for debate and the possibility of change. We welcome this opportunity to work with Red Rose Chain and to further develop our sponsorship programme as part of the firm's broad commitment to the community.”

n To book tickets for the 2010 performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream, call the box office on 01473 288886 or visit www.redrosechain.co.uk. Picnics and corporate hospitality packages are also available.