IF you like your Shakespeare served straight and think there's no place for comedy noses and squirting blood in the Bard's work, then Oddsocks' production of Richard III is probably not for you.

But, if you like a heavy dose of comedy mixed with your culture, you'll have a whale of a time at this outdoor performance on the Cathedral Green.

Struggling to sum up the production, Oddsocks' creative supervisor Kee Samsorrun says: "It's weird... it's kind of like Richard III meets The Matrix, meets weird sci-fi, meets hilarious comedy. It's madness."

Madness is an apt word for Oddsocks performances, which have a deceptively shambolic appearance. But it is all carefully-crafted – and, says Kee, how Shakespeare's plays would have originally been performed.

"When the theatres were closed down because of the Plague, troupes would get on a cart and go from village to village and that's how we do it. And the actors would have to interact with them because the villagers would shout at them. Oddsocks is bringing Shakespeare back to the people."

Watch a mini-documentary from the Oddsocks Theatre

But in between all the shouting and audience interaction, the original play is left pretty much intact.

Richard III is about the warring houses of Lancaster and York. Richard starts the play as the Duke of Gloucester but sets his sights on the throne and vows to kill everyone in his path.

"Of course, there are some very interesting and entertaining deaths in the Oddsocks version – lots of blood squirting everywhere, the usual stuff," says Kee. "Richard is a very bitter man – even more bitter in the Oddsocks version, for various different reasons, not least because Andy Barrow is playing him."

Andy, a familiar face to Oddsocks fans, is the company's founder, who is back on the stage – err, cart – this summer after a five-year break from touring.

Says Kee: "It's going to be great having Andy back on tour, we're really excited about that."

Andy played Richard when Oddsocks originally staged the play in 1996.

"It's one of his favourite parts so he jumped at the chance to be playing it again. Andy loves a baddie and Richard is the ultimate baddie. He doesn't have a good bone in his body and, for some reason, Andy relishes that – and I have to say he's very funny in the part."

It's not a flattering costume. Richard has bent limbs, a hunchback and, in true Oddsocks style, a huge nose.

"It gradually grows throughout the play so once Richard becomes king his nose is bigger and better than ever," says Kee.

Kee is particularly excited about the play's finale.

"I've been with Oddsocks for about eight years now and it's the biggest spectacle I think we've pulled off – certainly in the time since I've been here – so it should be a good one for the audience."

He wasn't keen to give the full details away but did say this: "Let's just say our audiences have seen animals played on stilts, they've seen stilts used separately, but they've never seen us do animals on stilts like this before.

"We've got new stilts – they're called Projumpers and people can run in them really fast. The guys that are using them have taken to them really well – it's spectacular what they're achieving on them."

The performance will be on the new Cathedral Green, in Derby, and the first 150 members of the audience will be treated to the luxury of covered seating.

"We're the second performance going on there (after Peer Gynt) and we're very excited about it. Bring the family, have a glass of wine, have a picnic, have a laugh. We're part of it as much as you are – we like to steal your glasses of wine and nibble on your picnic, that kind of thing. Come along and have a bit of fun with us."

RICHARD III

WHERE: Cathedral Green, Derby.

WHEN: July 1-4, 7.30pm.

TICKETS: £12 adults, £8 concessions, £6 children.

BOX OFFICE: 01332 255800.