RSC's first night in Wales

The RSC will perform at Ebbw Vale in south Wales

The Royal Shakespeare Company is preparing to stage its first ever performance in the south Wales Valleys.

Ebbw Vale - which fought off stiff competition to attract the company - is the RSC's only venue in Wales as they carry out their 20th anniversary tour of Britain.

A 30-strong crew will spend two days putting together the set, stage and auditorium.

Five articulated lorries were needed to bring 47 tonnes of equipment to Ebbw Vale incuding their own tea urn and washing machine.

And there is no compromise on the production either.

Nick Chesterfield: On the move

The audience will see the same performance that is staged in Stratford-upon-Avon, complete with big stars like Stuart McQuarry and Monica Dolan.

"The whole idea of this tour is rather than sitting on our backsides in Stratford or in London and expecting people to come to us, we will get out to them in their communities," said RSC tour manager Nick Chesterfield.

More than 3,000 people are expected to attend performances of The Taming of the Shrew at Ebbw Vale over the next week.