A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Ian Holm played Puck for most performances but occasionally Ian Lindsay played the part (see programme for 21st August).

Cast & Crew

Cast

Attendant
Attendant
Attendant
Attendant
Attendant
Attendant
Attendant
Attendant
Attendant
Attendant
Bottom
Demetrius
Egeus
Fairy
Fairy
Fairy
Fairy
Fairy
Fairy
Fairy 1
Flute
Helena
Hermia
Hippolyta
Lysander
Oberon
Philostrate
Puck
Puck
Quince
Snout
Snug
Starveling
Theseus
Titania

Crew

Choreographer
Designer
Director
Music by
Playwright

Photographs

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Play description

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a classic and much loved text by William Shakespeare. Written around the late 1500s, like most Shakespearean texts, A Midsummer Night’s Dream stands the test of time; the narrative is almost timeless and it is still performed regularly to this day.

The story is about four Athenian “lovers” who are all in love with one another; Hermia and Lysander are in love but Hermia’s farther, Egeus, wants her to marry Demetrius who also loves her. Left behind is poor Helena, who has a deep and unrequited love for Demetrius. As Hermia and Lysander run away together to a nearby forest on the eve of a big Athenian wedding between Theseus and Hippolyta. Demetrius follows the object of his affection, as does Helena.

Chaos ensues as the escaped lovers are set upon by magical forces dwelling in the woods. As a result of a magic potion, the lovers fall for different women.

Also affected by the mischevious woodland spirits are “the Mechanicals”, labourers from Athens who are practicing a play for the royal Athenian wedding.

Hilarity, sexuality and desire are key themes in this whimsical text by Shakespeare.

Observations

  1. On 28th April 2013 at 4:45 p.m., Susan Mapp noted:

    I think this was a wonderful production, all the cast were in tune with each other, Peter Hall was a fabulous producer. I was from Birmingham and had to have elocution lessons… Ha ha The rain in Spain etc also singing lessons! What an experience, my parent were so proud

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