“IT’S 400 years old, so some of the jokes go over our heads, but I’ve always fancied doing this one,” says artistic director Barrie Rutter, introducing Northern Broadsides’ 20th anniversary production, Love’s Labours Lost.

Shakespeare’s comedy of four dashing young men, a vow of celibacy, and a handful of beautiful young women sure to set the sparks flying is being staged in Scarborough, Leeds and York by the Halifax company as part of a spring tour.

Rutter is directing a cast of 17 northern actors in a romantic, and youthfully exuberant battle of the sexes that will be, shall we say, mischievous.

“Some of the experts would say that within Shakespeare’s canon, this is the filthiest play, because it was probably written for the entertainment of a house of young blades, including the Earl of Southampton, who needed something as raunchy as hell,” says Barrie.

Don’t expect Carry On saucy larks, however. “I’m not one for all that illustrative acting, swinging your hips or raising your hands,” says Barrie. “Our production is more a relishing of the lovely language.”

Physical comedy will play its part too, however. “We have an ex-Rugby League star, Adam Fogerty, playing Costard, and we have a dwarf, Dean Whatton, playing Moth, as I wanted as small a person as possible, while Costard is described as ‘big’,” says Barrie.

“I went to a dwarf agency after I couldn’t find anyone young and short to play Moth. A lot of Dean’s friends have been to see it already [in Halifax] and they say it has given dwarf actors a new dignity; they’ve said how lovely it is to see that someone like Dean is doing this role.”

As part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, the 17th member of the cast will change from location to location as an element of surprise. The role of the messenger, Monsieur Marcade, will be performed by assorted actors who have performed with the company over the past 20 years.

“We’re overbooked with former Broadsides players wanting to do the three lines,” says Barrie. “Just three lines, but they’re three very momentous lines – the most famous interruption in Shakespeare – that lead to the last three minutes of wonderful Shakespeare comedy.”

As ever, Barrie is nurturing new talent alongside such company stalwarts as Roy North and Fine Time Fontayne.

“The cast is led by eight young people, who are terrific,” he says. “Among them, we have a cello-playing Owen Findlay in his first professional role as the King of Navarre. He plays a mean cello!” And who will Barrie be playing? “The pedant, Holofernes, what else!” he says, laughing at his sometimes bombastic nature.

• Northern Broadsides present Love’s Labour Lost at Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, tonight until Saturday; West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, April 3 to 14; York Theatre Royal, May 1 to 5. Box office: Scarborough, 01723 370541 or sjt.uk.com; Leeds, 0113 213 7700 or wyp.org.uk; York, 01904 623568 or yorktheatreroyal.co.uk