A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Royal Exchange Theatre
Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
The Royal Exchange Theatre launch a sensational autumn/ winter season of theatre with an electrifying adaptation of Shakespeare’s most lauded comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Directed by Stef O’Driscoll, who is making her Royal Exchange directorial debut, this thrilling contemporary production promises a “whirlwind of sweaty dance-offs” and “drum and bass love anthems” in a celebratory nod to Manchester’s dance, music and rave culture.
Dive into Athens’ hedonistic world where the Palace nightclub reigns supreme and danger lurks in every beat. Under the leadership of the Duke, the city prepares for a royal wedding. Meanwhile, teetering between joy and jeopardy, four young ravers grapple with their future aspirations and desires. In a brilliant blur between fantasy and reality, the four find themselves in a magical forest with some cunning fairies. Captivating and fantastical, the story plays out under the Moon, a goddess of music in the night sky.
The production sees Natalie Casey (Things I Know to be True, Lyric Hammersmith/ UK Tour) taking the dual roles of Hippolyta and the fairy queen, Titania alongside Guy Rhys (A View From the Bridge, Royal Exchange Theatre) as both Egeus and Oberon. The mischievous fairy Puck will be played by Harry Egan (Breaking the Code, Royal Exchange Theatre), who also takes on the role of the Duke of Athens, Theseus.
Central to the Midsummer mayhem are the lovers, Helena, Demetrius, Lysander and Hermia, played by Melissa James (Gypsy, Royal Exchange Theatre), Joe Usher (Rock Paper Scissors, Sheffield Theatres), Alicia Forde (Time, BBC) and Ntombizodwa Ndlovu (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and The Mountaintop, Royal Exchange Theatre) respectively.
Bringing full-throttle comedic performances, the Mechanicals are led by David Mumeni (Bridgerton, Netflix) as Bottom alongside LJ Parkinson (Modest, UK Tour/ Kilm Theatre) as Quince; Sam Black (Animal Farm, UK Tour) as Flute, and Rebecca Hayes (Coram Boy, The Lowry) as Snug.
Completing this Midsummer Dream team is Manchester-based artist and musician SALO as The Moon. Fresh from playing the main stage at Parklife earlier this year, SALO is one of the most exciting emerging musical talents working today.
Director Stef O’Driscoll told us, “My relationship with Manchester has always been through its beautiful rave scene, mainly drum and bass and jungle music…Blending the worlds of Shakespeare and Manchester’s current rave scene, I wanted to celebrate that music in this production and highlight Manchester’s many gifted artists, rappers, and MCs alongside Shakespeare. To me, they all are the greatest wordsmiths and storytellers around. While the show is often described as a comedy, this production delves into the darker side of obsessive love and the lengths people go to, to get what they want…It’s a celebration of music, storytelling, and the vibrant spirit of Manchester.”
Get your best dancing shoes on and prepare to lose yourself to the beat, this is Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream as you’ve never seen it before. We can’t wait.
