A Midsummer Night's Dream - 2017
- Jan 9
- 2 min read
Redleap Recreation Reserve, Mill Park
About
“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?
Production Team
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
Cast
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
