8-3MSND

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, AND AMERICAN PLAYERS THEATRE IN MADISON? Prepared by: Tiwa L. There are theatres that display Shakespeare’s work brilliantly. They depict Shakespeare’s work in different ways and help express what Shakespeare meant.

Founded by the pioneering American actor and director Sam Wanamaker, Shakespeare's Globe is a “unique international resource” dedicated to the exploration of Shakespeare's work and, helping the audience connect in an enjoyable way and learn at the same time. Shakespeare’s Globe has performed A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The play’s results were outstanding. The New York Times, a newspaper, said the play was, “Lively, funny, (and) extremely well written.” The Observer, another newspaper, said, “What better tribute to the Globe’s history than a frank and funny London play?” The play must have been exceptional to be receiving praises from The New York Times.

The aim of the Royal Shakespeare Company is to make Shakespeare’s work contemporary. Therefore, they present it in a more modern way so that people can understand it trouble-free. This way it’s easier to relate to what happened because how things worked during Shakespeare’s time and right now are very different. Royal Shakespeare Company also played A Midsummer Night’s Dream. They were also complimented by The New York Times. This time the Times said, “Magical delight...a bewitching blend of the dark and the lovely…”

The Open Air Theatre is the only permanent professional outdoor theatre in Britain. Its “steeply raked” auditorium is one of the largest in London. The Open Air Theatre presents bold and dynamic productions “that stimulate the senses”. Weather and climate add to the work, making the relationship between performer, text and audience a truly unique event at every performance.

Since its founding, “the underlying impulse” of American Players Theatre, located in Madison, Wisconsin, has been to develop a popular “classical” theatre company. The American Players Theatre wants everyone to be able to enjoy Shakespeare’s work so they try to make their plays for a broad audience. So then, no matter what age the audience can appreciate and comprehend the playwright. Not only do newspapers review A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but so do locals. ‘Mio S.,’ a Wisconsin resident, says this about the play, “I saw A Midsummer Night's Dream this weekend. The production was great, but I was more mesmerized by the gorgeous outdoor setting. The theater is located at the top of a hill. The place is kept very clean and neat. The play itself was a nice modern interpretation of the Shakespeare classic. The costumes were beautiful. The lighting was spectacular - it really captured the essence of "dream." Attending the play was such nice way to spend an evening. If you like play, or even if you're not that into it, APT (American Players Theatre) is highly recommended.” Nicholas M. believed that it was “a magical place.”

All of these theatres try to make learning about Shakespeare enjoyable. Watching his works at these theatres helps you take Shakespeare to a whole new level. Watching William Shakespeare’s works in the theatre gives you a new perspective and shows the audience different ways to view the play. The audience certainly agrees and enjoys watching the plays.