When the Director, Dean Taylor, was putting together the programme he felt that, given the outdoor venue, the character of Corin the shepherd would appear much more credible if accompanied by a live sheep. Widespread enquiries were made around Hoghton, and Mrs Sheila Whittle, the owner of Big Ears, willingly came to the rescue.

Big Ears was orphaned as a lamb and Mrs Whittle hand raised her, and she has remained a firm favourite with the family ever since. Mrs Whittle says "she is an absolutely perfect sheep for the role, she happily walks on a collar and lead, is quite used to people and will not be at all fazed by the responsibility of working with actors".

Actor, Tony Bond who plays Corin the shepherd and has Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and has numerous film credits to his name said "in all my acting career I've never before been asked to act with a sheep. However, Big Ears is a real pro and I'm sure she's going to be a scene stealer."

Quite apart from being a family pet, Big Ears is a busy mother and had two healthy lambs earlier this spring.

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As the performance of 'As You Like It' draws closer, the press and special guests were invited to a special preview night at Hoghton Tower. Dean Taylor, the director pictured together with the producer Russell Atkinson along with Sir Bernard de Hoghton and Lady de Hoghton and two of the actresses presented a series of sonnets as a taster of to expect from the performances which start from Thursday 10th June 2004.