A Midsummer Night’s Dream was chosen to be performed as our 30th anniversary show in July 2014 because it was the first ever Shakespeare we performed.
Our 1950s family friendly production was fun and energetic, and performed outside in the rustic garden of Inn on the Park in Verulamium Park, St Albans.
The shows were hugely popular and nearly every night was sold out. Next year we will be performing Twelfth Night at the same venue.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
(16th – 18th & 24th – 26th July 2014)
Inn on the Park, St Albans, AL3 4SN
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” deals with the universal theme of love and its complications: lust, disappointment, confusion, marriage.
Synopsis
The plot focuses on three parallel stories: the trials and experiences of two sets of lovers camping in a magical forest, the world of the Fairy King and Queen and their elves, and a group of rough craftsmen attempting to stage a production of “Pyramus and Thisbe” for the wedding of the Duke of Athens.
Hermia is in love with Lysander, but her father wants her to marry Demetrius. To escape the arranged marriage, she and Lysander elope into the woods. Demetrius follows them, and he is pursued by Helena, who nurses an unrequited passion for him. A love quadrangle develops among the young lovers when mischievous Puck plays Cupid. “The course of true love never did run smooth” says Lysander. Meanwhile, a group of amateur actors rehearses a badly-written play in the woods, and soon all find their lives changed by the doings of Oberon and Titania, the warring king and queen of the fairies. Magic, action, love and humor are the ingredients for this unforgettable spell.
As Puck says, falling in love can make fools of us all. Love is crazy, love is mad. Will love win out in the end?
Cast & Crew
Theseus/Oberon – John Kensett
Hippolyta – Sarah Cooper
Egeus – David Martin
Hermia – Suzanne Drake
Demetrius – Oliver Sutton-Izzard
Lysander – Jamie Russell-Curtis
Helena – Clare Waller
Quince/ Fairy – Jill Davies
Bottom – Robert Lewis
Flute/ Peaseblossom – Denis Briggs
Starveling/ Moth – Margie Skinner
Snout/ Mustardseed – Owen Davies
Snug/ Cobweb – Lesley Cowland
Puck – Saleema Davies
Fairy/ Attendant – Vicki Harris
Titania – Abigail Giles
Director – Steph Harrison-Barker
Marketing Manager – Abigail Giles
Stage Manager – Lewis Harrison-Barker
Assistant Stage Manager – Natasha Inglis
Front of House Manager – Steph Cotter
Audience Comments
J. & C. Smith – “We all SOO enjoyed it. Please keep up the good work and we look forward to coming again next year.”
V. Gregory – “A perfect summers evening. Really enjoyed the food and wine too! You were all working so hard.”
M. Carter – “Shakespeare in the park -and it’s blooming brilliant!”
National Operatic and Dramatic Association
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