8-4MSND

HOW WAS //A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM// PRODUCED, PERFORMED, AND RECEIVED BYAUDIENCES RECENTLY AT SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE IN LONDON, ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY IN STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, OPEN AIR REGENT’S PARK IN LONDON, AMERICAN PLAYERS THEATRE IN MADISON, AND CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATRE IN CHICAGO? //Answer prepared by Hayley Gebhardt//

__Midsummer Night Dream Performances__ At the Globe a Midsummer Nights Dream is was set into modern times. Some of the characters were wearing jeans and a t-shirt. “Shakespeare put some of his most dazzling dramatic poetry at the service of this sparkling comedy. A teasing, glittering, very funny and amazingly inventive play, whose seriousness is fleetingly glimpsed beneath its dreamlike surface,” said the Shakespeare Globe. People have said that it was “lively, funny, extremely well written.” Also they said “A great laugh, fast-paced and buoyantly acted.” Someone one even said “Walker’s ambitious new drama is the first piece to be set in modern times at this address, and what an exhilarating night it proves.” According to the RSC website under the section of __Midsummer Nights Dream,__ “At the Royal Shakespeare Company, which was set in modern day, there were boundaries between reality and imagination that merge as the characters find themselves in a lot of magical twists. The characters were dressed in very colorful and magical costumes.” Over all the audiences really liked it. The times said its was a “Magical delight...a bewitching blend of the dark and the lovely”. Someone else added, “Gregory Doran's sparkling night of midsummer madness...sweet dreams indeed”.

At the Open Air Theater Midsummer Nights Dream was a new version of the show that left people laughing. It was magical with physical humor and visual delight. The Bard Web website under the section of __Midsummer Nights Dream__ stated, “It was also a excellent play for children. Actually is was specifically set of children. The children would enjoy all creative costumes, hair, and makeup.” Overall it got very good review and many people really enjoyed the play. __The Times__ said it was, “A charming and engaging introduction to Shakespeare and theatre-going”. Susan Elkin said the play was, “Superville gives an appealing, forceful and outrageous performance as Bottom... an innovative and thoughtful production." The play at the American Players Theatre was the traditional version of the play. The theatre was outdoors so the audience really felt like they were in the play. Critics has said that the actors were really professional and acted extremely well. Many people have said that, “it really captured the essence of ‘dream.’” They also said “They would like to return again if they had a chance”.

The Chicago Shakespeare Theater made the play suitable for all ages. “These ages included parents, grandparents, teachers-and all adults with children. This version of the play was shortened into a 75 minute play. The various age of people would have loved all the amazing actors and actresses. They would also love the great costumes, hair, and makeup.” was stated by the __Bard Web__ website under the section of __Theaters__ Overall, this shortened version of the play was a great hit for everyone that saw the show. The critics said, “This show was he woods of //A Midsummer Night’s Dream// are a fantastical notion…If you really could live within your dreams you wouldn’t want to.”

Caption: The Globe Theatre Caption: Bottom and Titania at the Open Air Theatre

Picture on the left: http://professormac.wordpress.com/

Picture on the right: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/reviews/article-1036067/Bottom-tops-Midsummers-Dream-team.html