One of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies gets an extreme makeover in Yohangza Theatre Company’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This South Korean company transports the audience to a world of unforgettable fantasy as they mix martial-arts inspired dance, voice and percussion with Korean folklore, mythology and history. The result is a sensory and aesthetic delight.

In this version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, all the main characters are given a twist. The fairy king and queen, Oberon and Titania, reverse gender and power roles, while Bottom appears as a country woman-turned-pig and Puck is split into a mischievous double-act.

Full of amazing costumes and superb makeup, this exotic adaptation was a hit at 2005 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Narrated in Korean, the combined language, dance, percussion and mime dissolve cultural barriers and lose nothing in translation. The company’s expressive facial gestures and perfect comic timing bridge any gap between audience and cast.
The performers all sing, dance and play a variety of musical instruments with unique Korean-style movements, expressions and vocalizations. This extremely polished and engaging performance captivates Shakespeare purists and novices alike.

Distinctly Korean in flavour, Yohangza’s work combines Korean tradition with theatrical experimentation. Founded in 1997 by director/writer Jung Ung Yang, this energetic young theatre company has quickly established a name for itself. In 2003 Jung Ung Yang won South Korea’s Best Young Playwright of the Year Award and A Midsummer Night’s Dream won Best Production at the Cairo International Festival of Experimental Theatre.

“*****Wonderfully wicked, clever and magical…Yang Jung Ung’s directing is inspired … exquisite. An absolute must.” The Scotsman

“If you like Shakespeare, you’ll like this. If you don’t like Shakespeare, you’ll like this.”
British Theatre Guide 


Yohangza Theatre Company
A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Director Jung Ung Yang
Composer Kim Eun Jeong

Venue: Dunstan Playhouse
Dates: 31 Jan 2007 - 10 Feb 2007
Bookings: 131 246 or www.bass.net.au