A Midsummer Night's Dream

Synopsis

Danger penetrates A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s enduring story of young love. As worlds real and unreal merge, romance struggles to survive and unlikely unions are forged.

On a midsummer's night Hermia and her lover Lysander flee from Athens and Demetrius - the man Hermia's father favours as a son-in-law. Demetrius follows, pursued by Helena who loves him in spite of being spurned in favour of Hermia. On the same night Bottom and his friends leave Athens to find somewhere quiet to rehearse their play which is to be performed at the wedding feast of Duke Theseus. Drawn into the woods they enter a world of magic, mystery and wonder.

Featuring the Open Air Theatre’s celebrated fusion of original music, movement and unique setting, this magical, comedic and seductive tale is set to be one of the theatrical highlights of the year.

Our Review:

10 July 2012

Duality has always been at the centre of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Whether it's the waking life and the dream world, fantasy and reality, the city and the wood, day and night - and in this production's case - rain and shine.

Plagued by some typically unpredictable English weather, punters should be advised to check forecasts in advance before attending as shows have been known to be called off or cancelled half way through due to downpours.

In an improvised opening scene, track-suited disorderly types shout and fight with each other and their WAGs outside caravans while the sounds of construction work drift in the background. You'd be forgiven for assuming you'd wandered into the wrong production by accident. In reality, though, those with the open-mindedness to persevere will soon realise that this is one of the most imaginative renderings of the play you'll ever come across.

Set on a gypsy caravan site Theseus (David Birrell) and Hippolyta ([...

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Latest User Review

Hollie Roberts - 4 August 2012:

I have been coming to see this play every year at Regents Park for about the last 17 years, and this year was by far the most memorable (and not just for its recency!) A refreshing, modern spin on the Shakespeare classic. I loved Titania - plagued and harrowed, also the role of Hypolita. Helena was hilarious and the players were also worthy of belly hugging guffaws! A disturbing interpretation lined with pure comedy. I want to go and see it again!...

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