| A Midsummer Nights Dream | Australian Shakespeare Company |
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The tale, which takes place in the court of Athens and the woods beyond, is one of tangled loves and magic-potions. Theseus, the Duke of Athens, is preparing for his marriage to Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, whom he has just defeated in battle. But first he has to judge a matrimonial dispute. Egeus, an Athenian nobleman, wants his daughter, Hermia, to marry Demetrius but she is in love with Lysander. Egeus claims Lysander has bewitched his daughter and, in accordance with ancient Athenian law, demands that unless she complies with her father's wishes and marries Demetrius, she must become a nun or be put to death.
Theseus gives her three days to decide and after briefly considering their options, Hermia and Lysander elope to the nearby woods - but not before disclosing their plans to her childhood friend Helena, who was once engaged to Demetrius and still loves him even though he jilted her after meeting Hermia. Hoping to regain his love, Helena tells Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander’s plans. Demetrius stalks into the woods after his intended bride and her lover; Helena follows behind him. In the woods the lovers fall under the spell cast by Oberon, King of the Fairies, who is in dispute with Titania, Queen of the Fairies. Puck, Oberon’s right-hand sprite, not only gets up to a bit of mischief but also blunders in his application of magic potions, thereby mixing up who is in love with whom! Meanwhile, a bunch of tradesmen, referred to as the Mechanicals, are rehearsing a show for the Duke’s marriage. Like all amateur theatricals they have their ham, in this case it is Bottom the Weaver.
As Lysander notes, “The course of true love never did run smooth,” but neither do Shakespearean plots. The result is classic Shakespearean mayhem.
Australian Shakespeare Company Presents
A Midsummer Nights Dream
By William Shakespeare
Artistic Director Glenn Elston
Production Manager & Lighting Designer James Savage
Head Electrician Scott Opie
Stage Manager Linda Hum
Stage Manager Ashley Groenen
Production Assistant Maggie Kus
Administrator Nichole Weinrich
Ticketing & Hospitality Manager Anna Pearson
Art & Design Amanda Watts
With Gemma Bishop, Terri Brabon, Syd Brisbane, Phil Cameron-Smith, Adrian Dart, Ben Leeks, Shireen Morris, Brendan O’Connor, Anthony Rive, Hugh Sexton, Kathryn Tohil, Josie Torrisi, Ross Williams
Venue: Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne | Southern Cross Lawn (Enter Observatory Gate, Birdwood Avenue)
Dates: 29 December - 24 March
Times: Dec/Jan: Tues-Sun, 8:30pm. Feb/Mar: Tues-Sat, 8:00pm.
Bookings: 03 8676 7511, Ticketmaster 136 100 or www.ticketmaster.com.au - tickets are available at the on-site box office up to 1 hour before the show starts, please note cash only sales.
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Thursday, 04 December 2008
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