Media Release
‘tis almost fairy time.’
– Theseus, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
For the first time in over 10 years, Bell Shakespeare will present a mainstage version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, starring
Richard Piper, Julie Forsyth, Ray Chong Nee and Janine Watson, showing in Canberra, Melbourne and Wollongong
between August and October 2014.
Directed by Bell Shakespeare’s Co-Artistic Director Peter Evans, his 90-minute account of this classic romantic comedy,
called The Dream, is a highly physical, truly transformative production that sees eight actors playing multiple characters in a
madcap demonstration of inventive stagecraft.
One of Shakespeare’s earliest comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream deals with the universal theme of love and its darker
excesses; lust, confusion and disappointment. It follows the adventures of four star-crossed lovers (Hermia and Lysander, and
Helena and Demetrius), a disgruntled father, a duke and duchess, woodland fairies (Oberon andTitania) and a mischievous fairy
servant (Puck).
Taking place in a mythical Athens and an enchanted forest outside its walls, an additional satirical tale introduces another set
of characters; a group of amateur actors known as The Mechanicals, who stumble into the same mystical woods to rehearse a
play called Pyramus and Thisbe.
“I want to remind people how funny this play is and how dark it is; Shakespeare’s observation on the fickleness of love and the
irrationality of love is really dark.” said Evans. “And the central four-hander between the four lovers is one of the greatest scenes
ever written.”
While many will know this story well, Evans’ fresh approach focuses on the play within the play, bringing out the madness and the
cleverness of Shakespeare’s writing. The Dream begins with the third scene, where the amateur actors are rehearsing. Uncovering
all the magic, mayhem and romance of this story, Evans plays on the illusion of theatre and performance itself, with the
assistance of Movement Director Nigel Poulton.
‘It’s a celebration of theatre; a play within a play, three different worlds, three different styles of plays, that work seamlessly
together. It’s a very warm and generous play, with silliness and seriousness,’ said Evans. ‘It’s a privilege to work on one of
Shakespeare’s most-loved plays.’
The Dream will be showing at the Canberra Theatre Centre, 30 August – 13 September, Arts Centre Melbourne,
19 September – 4 October 2014 and Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, 8 – 11 October 2014.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Prue Vercoe, Publicity Manager
P: 02 8298 9063, M: 0410 541 663 | E: [email protected] | W: bellshakespeare.com.au
Media Release
By William Shakespeare
Director Peter Evans
Designer Teresa Negroponte
Lighting Designer Rachel Burke
Sound Designer Caitlin Porter
Movement Director Nigel Poulton
Dramaturg James Evans
Canberra
Previews: 28 & 29 August
Season: 30 August – 13 September
Canberra Theatre Centre, The Playhouse
Bookings: 02 6275 2700
canberratheatrecentre.com.au
*Audio Described Performance | 13 September, 2pm
With
Theseus/Oberon/Flute/Thisbe Ray Chong Nee
Hippolyta/Titania/Quince/Prologue Janine Watson
Helena/Starveling/Moonshine Nikki Shiels
Demetrius/Snout/Wall Johnny Carr
Hermia/Snug/Lion Lucy Honigman
Lysander/Mechanical Gareth Reeves
Bottom/Pyramus/Egeus Richard Piper
Puck Julie Forsyth
Melbourne
Previews: 18 September
Season: 19 September – 4 October
*Audio Described Performance | 4 October, 2pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse
Bookings: 1300 182 183
artscentremelbourne.com.au
Wollongong
Season: 8–11 October
Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, IMB Theatre
Bookings: 02 4224 5999
merrigong.com.au
Duration 1hour, 30min
Bell Season packages bellshakespeare.com.au
Single tickets go on sale 4 November 2013
Tickets $35–$79 (transaction fees may apply)
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Prue Vercoe, Publicity Manager
P: 02 8298 9063, M: 0410 541 663 | E: [email protected] | W: bellshakespeare.com.au