Creation Theatre will be using old rubbish found along the Thames for its latest performance.

Recycled wood, metal, plastic containers and bottles and even a sheep’s skull will be used for both set and costumes for a production of Twelfth Night at Said Business School amphitheatre from Thursday until Saturday, September 5.

The company decided to add a recycling twist to the performance and have been collecting rubbish for the past three months.

The play opens on an island where a group of shipwrecked sailors begin telling the story of Twelfth Night to entertain themselves.

They will then use what they can find on the island to create their character’s outfit, to perform a play within a play.

Set designer Tomasin Cuthbert came up with the idea of using recycled material and said it made sense to use natural props because of the opening scene of an island.

She said: “I like to use real objects when designing on set. I think it makes a visual difference.

“You discover interesting products that couldn’t be replicated or designed.”

Miss Cuthbert used the example of recycled wood used on set, which is from an old barn and looks “incredible” because of its texture and authenticity.

She added that she had never worked at a theatre company where natural products had been used to such an extent.

The team have still not finished collecting all that’s needed for the set and Miss Cuthbert estimated it would have taken three months by the time they finish.

Along with the production manager and the assistant stage manager, she has been seeking material, mainly along the Thames but also from a beach in Bristol.

Sarah Thomas, deputy stage manager, said: “There is so much recyclable material lying around that we finished most of the set in quite a short time.

“The only thing we had to buy was the sand, so it saved money and the actors love the set design.”