UPDATE 6 JANUARY: This performance has been postponed to Sunday January 8, because of rain forecast on the original date.

A troupe of actors will present a rockabilly version of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing on the Royal Lawn of the Ashburton Domain on Saturday 7 January.

The Barden Party is touring all around the South Island over summer putting on this fun and music-filled show in public spaces, travelling with its own props, set and instruments.

Ashburton District Council’s Creative Communities Committee granted the troupe $1790 to help cover expenses for the Ashburton show and people are encouraged to bring along a picnic and blanket to sit on the lawn and enjoy the performance, which starts at 6pm.

The Royal Lawn is accessible from the domain's central car park.

Much Ado About Nothing is comedy about love, mischief and mistaken identity.

The show was among 17 local applications to the Creative Communities Scheme last year and funding for the next round will open in March.

Projects that receive funding aim to encourage and foster an interest in the arts, in a variety of ways – from Shakespeare in the park to pottery and Nepalese dance.