Shakepeare’s Globe has announced its first season under the leadership of new artistic director Emma Rice.

The former Kneehigh AD will helm A Midsummer Night’s Dream as part of the season, after she takes over at the prestigious theatre in April.

A smaller line up of six shows has been announced as part of the ‘Wonder Season’.

Rice said: “I’ve been telling stories all my life, and as a director I’ve explored lots of folk tales or, as I like to call them, ‘wonder tales’. And that is why I am calling my first season the ‘Wonder Season’.”

“I’m picking all the plays that have a magical sense of folklore about them, so I think we’re in for a treat of mysticism and magic.”

“There really is something for everyone. And keep watching, there is going to be lots of surprises in store. It is going to be amazing.”

The line up includes The Taming of the Shrew directed by Caroline Byrne, Iqbal Khan’s Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice starring Johnathan Pryce and a retelling of Cymbeline called Imogen.

Other work announced includes Kneehigh’s critically acclaimed 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tibbs, which will play at The Globe from August 11 to September 11.

For the performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream between April 30 and September 11, the theatre and the surrounding area will be transformed into a forest designed by Lez Brotherston.

For full details of Emma Rice’s first season as artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe, click here.