AT Christmas, the river overtopped at The Mill, flooding the gardens, the worn old tennis court and the glade, before doing its worst to the mill house and outbuildings.

It was an unwelcome reminder of how the elements, the wildest weather, have an unpredictable hold on us. Almost six months later, a tent has been erected on the court (for wedding parties, should you want to book yours); the grounds are green and lush; the mill pond is serene and green coated, its edges framed with lighting that spreads to the trees and a wooden caravan.

The house is a hub of artistic activity, the new home to The Flanagan Collective, Alexander Wright's theatrical endeavour that takes on myriad shapes.

And now, the elements are at foul play again at The Mill, only this time they are under the command of Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, who has summoned his forces to make life rotten for those who have usurped him. Righteous staff and merry hell-making book in his hands, he conjures a storm that will deposit the bad lot to his island.

The Tempest is the first result of the new Wright stuff, presented under the venue name of At The Mill, and the first offering is more in keeping with his On Our Turf community projects that York Theatre Royal mounted in four market towns. A core of professional actors, Michael Lambourne's Prospero, Holly Beasley-Carrigan's Caliban and Amie Burns Walker's spirit Ariel, is joined by a community company from York, Stillington and, in the case of Ella Bond, a star turn as Alice in Easingwold On Our Turf's Alice In Wonderland last year. She graduates impressively to Prospero's daughter, Miranda.

Wright uses very contour of his new playground, setting scenes around the pond, into which Beasley-Carrigan's Caliban strides in waders; the glade; the log pit, the old court and the fire pit. All the while, the promenade production is kept moving by assistant Ariels Flynn Coultous (great name for an actor) and Bev Law and the bird song of the spirits, or by the bodhran drumming of Prospero.

The posh likes of Nicky Hollins's Alonso, Harry Lepine Williams's Sebastian and Mark Burghagen's Antonio keep up the serious side of things; Jacquie Sheffield and Veronica Hare have boozy fun with jester Trinculo and court attendant Stephano respectively. There's even a gay marriage as Emma Buck's Ferdinand entwines with Bond's Miranda. The pick of Sophie Roberts's costumes evoke the landgirl Forties.

Commanding the verdant amphitheatre is Lambourne's Prospero, who he has billed as a "cross between Doctor Who and Atticus Finch, futuristic moral realist", and how right he is. His stentorian voice sends the sheep in the field next door scurrying for cover, and as his work is done, he and we are greeted with a beauteous sunset, the most natural of curtain calls.

The Tempest, The Flanagan Collective At The Mill, Stillington, until Sunday, 7pm plus 2pm Saturday and Sunday matinees. Box office: 01904 623568 or yorktheatreoyal.co.uk