BRITAIN'S longest-running modern mandolin quartet will be bringing their exceptional virtuosity and sparkling wit to the Lake District this weekend.

Simon Mayor’s Mandolinquents promise an evening of lively entertainment at the Theatre by the Lake, in Keswick, on Sunday June 26.

Playing mandolins of all shapes and sizes, their wide ranging repertoire covers everything from classical giants like Vivaldi, Dvořák and Bizet to hauntingly beautiful traditional and world melodies as well as hot swing, bluegrass and ragtime music.

The group’s passion for mandolins is palpable as they take you on an animated journey that will meet all musical tastes. Their impressive talent is showcased on a range of individual instruments including the mandolin, mandola, mandocello and mighty mandobass and the audience will be swept up by their infectious humour, occasional bursts of song and hot-fingered fiddle playing.

Leading The Mandolinquents is fiddler, guitarist, and composer Simon Mayor, considered to be one of the world’s finest mandolin players and hoping to start a revival of his cherished and versatile instrument.

He says: “Today the mandolin is undergoing a resurgence in popularity in folk and indie bands as well as in classical circles. The UK has been a bit slow on the uptake, but years of confinement to back bedrooms, where legions of enthusiasts have been hiding away, are finally at an end.”

Supporting Simon will be gifted and characterful guitarist Gerald Garcia, who has toured the world with the likes of John Williams and Paco Pena, superb vocalist and mandobass musician Hilary James, and deft-fingered banjo artist Richard Collins whose flair for performing bluegrass and country music sees him tour regularly with American artists, including in Nashville.

Sunday's show starts at 7.30pm in the Main House, and tickets are available from the Theatre by the Lake box office.