Then it was Colac's turn. This reviewer went along to the Colac Botanic Gardens for Sunday's performance by this highly acclaimed company.

It was, as we have come to expect of Ozact, a thoroughly professional, thoroughly entertaining two hours of outdoor Shakespeare.

Under Bruce Widdop's able direction, a mix of well-known and newer Ozact performers delighted the audience with this, one of Shakespeare's wittiest and brightest plays.

A series of plots and counter plots, intrigues and courtships, disasters and blundering solutions entertained and amused us in a delightful setting.

As the two pairs of young lovers, Kellie Tori and Michael Argus, and Ami-Lou Sharpe and Ben Griffiths (excellent, these two, in their witty duelling) were attractive and engaging, while Kellie and Ami-Lou doubled as the hilariously blundering watchmen. This was a comic treat in their scenes with the "write me an Ass" constable, Dogberry, played by Matt Young. Matt was also doubling from his other role as the evil Don John.

Ozact veterans, Andy Delves and Bruce Widdop, gave strong performances, especially effective in their confrontation scene. Dan Bellis was another who doubled effectively, as the scheming Borachio and then as the calm (but also scheming) Friar.

A highlight was Lucy Leeming, saucy and sexy as the maid, Margaret, and creating an excellent rapport with the audience as the Audience Guide.

All cast members were clear and easy to follow, important in this play with its plot twists and consequences.

A highly entertaining performance in the ongoing story of Ozact's successful productions, which you can now catch at Heatherlie Quarry in the Grampians this weekend (Saturday and Sunday) at 3 pm.

(Barry Breen is an actor and writer)