There will be a read-through in early March to give you a chance to learn your lines before rehearsals start in late March. Diana Quick will conduct a masterclass for the cast a few weeks into rehearsals and Colin Smith will act as our verse coach for the production.

Cast and crew may be needed all day on 13th and 14th May for tech and dress rehearsals.

The Directors write :
The plot involves four confused young lovers and a group of inept amateur actors who are caught up in a feud between the King and Queen of the fairies during preparations to celebrate the wedding of the Duke of Athens and his reluctant bride, the captured Queen of the Amazons.
Much of the action takes place on Midsummer Night in the enchanted fairy wood where two of the lovers (Hermia and Lysander) get lost while fleeing to escape Hermia’s punishment for refusing to marry Demetrius, her father’s choice of husband. They are pursued by the other lovers, the enraged Demetrius and his besotted former lover, Helena, who has been spurned by him in favour of her friend Hermia. Also in the wood are a group of workmen who are rehearsing a play they hope to perform at the wedding celebrations. Oberon, king of the fairies, uses a magic potion to punish Titania, his queen, by making her fall in love with the first creature she sees (Bottom, one of the workmen transformed into an ass by Oberon’s mischievous helper Puck) and to intervene (ineptly) between the quarrelling lovers with confusing and comical results. Eventually everything is restored to order, all the lovers get married and the workmen perform their play before the Duke’s court at the wedding revels .

The characters
Great scope and flexibility in casting to age/appearance/experience/talents of those auditioning. Possibilities for doubling. Opportunities for additional walk-on roles. Ages given below as a rough indication of playing ages.

The court
Theseus, Duke of Athens [40-50] : Imperious, enamoured of ...
Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons [30-40] : Warrior queen, forced into a marriage, disapproves of Athenian ways
Lysander [20-30] : Sincere, romantic - in love with Hermia
Demetrius [20-30] : Fickle, opportunistic - also in love with Hermia but erstwhile lover of Helena
Hermia [18-30] : Short, dark and feisty - in love with Lysander
Helena [18-30] : Tall,fair and gauche - in love with Demetrius
Egeus [50-70] : Father of Hermia - demands that Hermia marry Demetrius
Philostrate [25-70] : Master of the Revels - amused by the goings on

The fairies
Oberon [35-45] : King of the Fairies - jealous, spiteful, controlling
Titania [30-40] : Queen of the Fairies - sensual, nurturing, determined
Puck [indeterminate age] : Androgynous, mischievous, likes causing trouble
Five junior fairies : “First fairy”, Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth and Mustardseed. All female [16-30]; singing needed, responsible for leading non-speaking child fairies in London and Paris. Characters need to be developed as individuals
In London - aged under 12 - four to six non-speaking child fairies who can sing and dance

The mechanicals
Opportunities for comic invention in all parts, especially in the play within the play.
Any age except Flute, the youngest - under 25
Peter Quince, a Carpenter :Author, sober, tries to be in control of the group
Nick Bottom, a Weaver : Good humoured, exuberant, enthusiastic amateur actor.
Francis Flute, a Bellows Mender : Plays the heroine
Robin Starveling, a Tailor : Stolid - plays the moon
Tom Snout, a Tinker : Plays the wall
Snug, a Joiner : Slow of thought - plays the lion