Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society’s latest production takes the Shakespearean classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream transported from the traditional setting of Athens to 1950s ‘Richmondia’.
Shakespeare’s most performed play is set across two worlds – the court of Athens in a traditional production and a mystical forest that lies beyond the city’s walls.
Four young lovers run away only to have fairy Puck make both boys fall in love with the same girl.
They pursue each other through the forest while Puck helps his master Oberon play a trick on the fairy queen, Titania.
Meanwhile, the ‘rude mechanicals’, a group of amateur and mostly incompetent actors, are rehearsing – hoping their production is chosen as the courtly entertainment for the noble wedding celebrations of Theseus and Hippolyta.
As these groups and worlds collide, mischief, humour and love all play a part in the tangled story.
“RADS have only done nine Shakespeare plays in its 88-year history,” said director Jim Brown.
“I felt it was high time we did another one.
“We had originally planned to put this production on in 2020, so of course it has been affected by Covid, but I’ve been lucky to have a fantastic cast and crew that have thrown themselves into the rehearsal process.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a romantic comedy with interspersed laughs and a moral that will make you ponder what it means ‘to be in love’.
“It was written around 1595 but to me it still conveys a strong message of enduring thoughts and, of course, humour.
“The language can often be a challenge for both actors and audiences, but Shakespeare’s English is only about 10 per cent different to modern English. My approach to watching and understanding Shakespeare is to ‘let it wash over you’. You will soon get the rhythm, the meaning and the enjoyment.”
A Midsummer Night’s Dream performs at the Georgian Theatre Royal from November 10 to 12 at 7:30 pm.
Tickets are available from the theatre box office on 01748 825252 or online at www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk
RADS perform three shows a year and prospective members for acting or backstage are always welcome.
For further information about upcoming shows and events please contact Gregan at secretary@richmond-ads.org.uk
