by William Shakespeare
Forbidden love at the heart of a gypsy community brings danger on a midsummer’s night. As the lovers escape, mischief and sensual seduction ensue in a confusion of worlds real and unreal.
A big fat gypsy telling of Shakespeare’s comedic tale featuring the Open Air Theatre’s celebrated fusion of original music, movement and unique setting.
As the running time is 2 hours 50 minutes (including the interval), this production is not suitable for younger children. It remains the responsibility of the parent/guardian in advance of purchase to make their own judgement as to the suitability of the show for their child, but in any event, children under the age of 4 will not be admitted to the venue.
Guidelines for Parents and Teachers
Guidelines for Parents and Teachers
A Midsummer Night's Dream
There is a short moment which parents may wish to be aware of when considering the suitability of our production for younger audiences: the first meeting between Bottom and Titania is depicted as a highly charged intimate encounter in keeping with the contemporary style and physical nature of our production.
Suitable for ages 11+
More Information about bringing children to the Open Air Theatre
Read reviews
Show all reviewsThe Times
"HIGHLY ORIGINAL" “George Bukhari is... among my all-time favourite Bottoms, vaingloriously idiotic and hyperactive”
"with all the patriarchy, rebellion larkiness and trickery done full tilt”
Evening Standard
“It won’t be what the tourists were expecting BUT THEY'LL BE GLAD THEY CAME”
Daily Telegraph
“Few have envisioned Shakespeare’s natural unity with reality TV. Until now... thanks to Matthew Dunster’s clever touches, and a show-stealing set from designer Jon Bausor”
"This exceptional space has been transformed into A WORLD YOU'D NEVER IMAGINED"
Metro
“There’s nothing conventional about Matthew Dunster’s production... and all the better for it.”
“the patriarchal code of traveller culture provides a THEMATICALLY RICH framework for Shakespeare’s play of youthful rebellion and sexual awakening”
Whatsonstage.com
"this is one of the most imaginative renderings of the play you'll ever come across”
Daily Express
"an ORIGINAL and INVENTIVE re-imagining”
CREATIVE TEAM
- Pippa Ailion CDG – Casting Director
- Jon Bausor – Set Designer
- Charlotte Broom – Choreographer
- Ian Dickinson – Sound Designer
- Matthew Dunster – Director
- James Farncombe – Lighting Designer
- Olly Fox – Composer
- Laura Hopkins – Costume Designer
- Barbara Houseman – Associate Director - Voice & Text
- Majella Hurley – Dialect Coach
- Laura Keefe – Assistant Director
- Nick Lidster – Lighting Designer
- Ellen Stewart – Assistant Designer
- Kate Waters – Fight Director
- Jack Williams – Associate Lighting Designer
CAST
- Jamal Andreas – Ensemble
- Stephane Anelli – Mustardseed
- Rolan Bell – Flute
- Sean Kingsley – Demetrius
- David Birrell – Theseus
- Louise Bowden – Philostrate
- Katie Brayben – Hippolyta
- George Bukhari – Bottom
- Tamsin Carroll – Titania
- Anthony Clegg – Egeus
- Christopher Colquhoun – Oberon
- Hayley Gallivan – Hermia
- Shimi Goodman – Cobweb
- Harry Hepple – Quince
- Waylon Jacobs – Moth
- Oliver Johnstone – Puck
- Kurt Kansley – Snout
- Joshua Lacey – Peaseblossom
- Mireia Mambo-Bokele – First Fairy
- Sandra Marvin – Ensemble
- Sophie Nomvete – Ensemble
- Rebecca Oldfield – Helena
- Tom Padley – Lysander
- Caroline Rovina – Ensemble
- Carl Sanderson – Snug
- Jo Servi – Starveling
