You'd have thought that after being blown away by the winds and the rains last year and devastated by flooding, Creation might bow their heads in defeat.

But oh no. Oxford's favourite Shakespeare company is braving the financial markets and the storms and coming out with its biggest ever season - with four plays performing simultaneously this summer.

Katherine MacAlister investigates Nicky West must take happy pills for breakfast, because she's delighted at the prospect of launching four plays in four different Oxford venues, and keeping them all up-and-running consecutively.

As producer during Creation's most ambitious season ever, she's helping to triple the number of venues used in summer 2007 and staging four shows across three locations.

Much Ado About Nothing kicks off at 7.30pm tonight at the foot of the Castle Mound in the Unlocked Castleyard, followed by Headington Hill Park's unusual promenade production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare's Saints and Sinners new one-man show in St Michael at the North Gate and George Orwell's Animal Farm in the former exercise yard of Oxford Prison.

But it's make or break for Creation. Last season was basically drowned, and although 16,000 people braved the elements to see its wet efforts, 10,000 punters stayed away.

A last minute donation and a great run at the North Wall this winter means Creation is back in business and, rather than feeling sorry for itself, is coming back bigger and better, full guns ablazing.

"We run on adrenaline all summer," Nicky, 25, laughs. "Getting all the shows ready is a mad whirlwind but I watched a rehearsal on Friday of Much Ado About Nothing and it blew me away.

"It makes all the meetings, and sitting at your desk working out the logistics, worth it and I thought 'yes, this is why we do this and why we want to keep doing it'."

Animal Farm is the last to open, on July 21 and then until August 16, all four plays will be up-and-running together, manned by a Creation staff of 80.

"We wanted to do it all at once rather than whimpering away. You've got to go on fighting," Nicky adds.

"I think people will be really pleased and excited with this year's plays and it's going to be such a fun summer. I for one am ready for it."

To book call the Box Office on 01865 766266, or buy tickets - ranging from £14.50 to £24.

WHAT'S ON

  • Much Ado About Nothing, tonight until August 16 at Oxford Castle in the Unlocked Castleyard
  • A Midsummer Night's Dream, July 4-September 13 in promenade around Headington Hill Park
  • Shakespeare's Saints & Sinners, June 26-August 16 in St Michael at the North Gate
  • Animal Farm, July 21-30 August in Oxford Castle Garden