A Midsummer Night's Dream

by William Shakespeare

performed by BTG May 1984

A Play

A Midsummer Night's Dream is the magical, ethereal tale of lovers deceived by fairy magic. It is a romantic comedy full of humor and sub-plots, but also a showcase for more serious themes of rebellion, authority, power and possession.

The approaching marriage of Theseus, Duke of Athens, to his former "enemy" Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, sets the stage for Shakespeare's play about love and justice, love lost and regained, dreams and fairy tales.

As part of the pre-wedding festivities the Duke orders entertainment and plays staged. Local tradesmen, lead by Bottom, the weaver, take on the task and begin the preparations. In the midst of their planning, Hermia, and her two suitors are brought before the Duke by Hermia's father Egeus. Egeus wants Theseus to command his willful daughter to marry Demetrius, while Hermia pleads to be allowed to marry Lysander, whom she loves. The Duke rules in Egeus' favor causing the two lovers to plot to secretly meet in the nearby woods and run away together. Hermia and Lysander confide in their friend Helena, who promptly informs Demetrius.

In the woods, fairy king and queen Oberon and Titania are feuding and their antics cause Lysander to fall in love with Helena and abandon Hermia. Meanwhile, Bottom and his men happen to hold their final play rehearsal in the forest and they too are subjected to fairy antics, this time initiated by the roguish Puck. It's a typical Shakespearean comedy with mistaken identities, deception and treachery, jilted lovers and lots of "fairy taling."