A new outdoor theatre company has been launched in Malmesbury in memory of a two year old who died from cerebral paulsey.

Solstice Theatre Company is the creation of Cross Hayes resident Gabriella Bjork-Gabbitas.

Following the death of her two-year-old daughter Greta in November 2007 the Bristol Old Vic-trained actress was urged by a friend to put on a performance to help her deal with her grief.

Mrs Bjork-Gabbitas said: “It was a one off performance for friends and family in the garden of Sherldon Manor near Chippenham.

“Barbara Pollard happened to be there and asked if I would do the play in the Abbey House Gardens.

“Two hundred people came along and it proved to be really popular.”

Mrs Bjork-Gabbitas put her acting career on hold when Greta was born.

She said: “Greta was deprived of oxygen at birth and was badly brain damaged.

“She had some major complications such as no swallow reflex, and I gave up acting to look after her as she needed 24 hour care.

“I thought she would live much longer but she died at the age of two.”

The Solstice Theatre Company cast is made up of friends and family, including Mrs Bjork-Gabbitas’ teenage children Julius, 18, and Isabella, 16, who is studying for her GCSEs at Malmesbury School.

They are now turning their efforts to an edited version of Cyrano de Bergerac which they will perform in the herb garden at Abbey House Gardens on Saturday June 21.

Mrs Bjork-Gabbitas is hoping for some good weather.

She said: “This is the biggest play we’ve done so far.

“We’ve been rehearsing outdoors so we can get used to the noise levels.

“If the weather is good outdoor theatre can be truly magical.”

She added: “Nearly all the cast were keen do it so we didn’t need to hold any open auditions.

“But next year we probably will have some auditions because we want to do something even bigger.”

Tickets are £8 from Abbey House Gardens and include early entry at 5.30pm for picnics in the gardens before the single performance at 7pm.

To book call (01666) 827650.