“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” deals with the universal theme of love and its complications: lust, disappointment, confusion and marriage. 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 Thisby” 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.
This work is widely performed around the world, and no wonder – it’s about the world’s most popular pastime, falling in love. But as Puck knows, falling in love can make fools of us all. Love is crazy, love is mad. Will love win out in the end?
Director: Karim Shaker
Assistant Director: Chris Black
Costumes: Dee Bellen and Stephanie Black
Makeup: Ash Bandelli
Photographers: Evangeline Clough Good and Amy Jenkinson
Stage Manager: Curtis Sanderson
Graphic Designer: Yashodha Boopalan
Logistics: John Eliezer
Generator: Allan Rouse
Special Thank You
Ray White Mill Park
City of Whittlesea
Crave Dance Academy
Parade College
Theseus: Toby Greig
Hippolyta: Kirsten Taafe
Egeus: Cam Gleeson
Hermia: Ashlee Lambton
Helena: Evangeline Clough Good
Lysander: Christien Dariol
Demetrius: Jake Matricardi
Oberon: Kirsten Taafe
Titania: Katie Possingham
Puck: Ahila Navaratnam
Cobweb: Ruby Gleeson
Mustardseed: Emma Uphill
Peaseblossom: Mary Filmer
Moth: Rhiannon Welsford
Peter Quince: Tiernan White
Nick Bottom: Daniel Cooper
Francis Flute: Candice Jansz
Tom Snout: Stephanie Black
Snug: Bonnie Jean McRae