Theatre News

New online platform gives public opportunity to direct Shakespeare

Fancy yourself as the next Jamie Lloyd or Lucy Bailey?

Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Genevieve Barr and Jade Anouka - who will you choose for your Titania?
Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Genevieve Barr and Jade Anouka – who will you choose for your Titania?
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage

Ever fancied directing a Shakespeare play? Well now's your chance. The Old Vic theatre and British Council have joined forces to mark 400 years since the death of William Shakespeare with a digital platform that allows viewers to direct a scene from A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Mix the Play asks users to select from 36 pre-filmed scenes, making choices about where they would like the scene set – from a warehouse to a National Trust Tudor property – as well as picking the lighting and music. Budding directors can even watch auditions and choose which actor plays Titania – with a choice from Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Genevieve Barr and Jade Anouka.

Once participants have created their own ‘directors cut’ it can be downloaded and shared on social media.

Director Joe Murphy who has worked on the project said: "A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a play full of magic, mischief and imagination, so it's the perfect piece to launch Mix the Play.

"As a director, the decisions I make about a production shape the entire world of the play – casting, costume, music – and I am excited that through this project we can share the creative process with audiences around the world."

Mix the Play is live and can be accessed here.