A Midsummer Night’s Dream is Shakespeare’s only play to have a completely original plot. Shakespeare relied upon previous works, fairytales, folklore and other plays for the rest of his works. This is perhaps the reason it is so complex, overly filled with magic and impossible plot devices. It is also one of the reasons it is the most performed of all of Shakespeare’s works. The story is well known but so often, the darker more serious elements of the show are overlooked. Theseus has just conquered Hippolyta’s homeland and taken her for prisoner bride. Patriarchy with no choice for women is the law of the land in this court. Nightmares are explored through characters and the nature of death and ghosts. I wanted all aspects of this work to shine through. I have not relied on this production as a mere exercise in frivolity, of course hilarity ensues. Instead, I have come to this work with an eye for the meaning and the message.
This production is part of the 400th anniversary of Shakepeare’s death. The Royal Shakespeare Company spearheaded a campaign to celebrate the genius with this show. They asked theaters around the world to perform Midsummer, join the social media campaign and add photos and videos to their gallery. I jumped at the opportunity to share in the celebration and explore this work with our students.
I started the research and design process, as I always do, sitting in front of a blank piece of paper. As if by magic, it struck me. This page contained within it unlimited potential and boundless magic. Thus, the concept for the show was born. The fairy world would be made of different types of paper. We have props made from paper. The set skinned with paper. The fairies themselves are airy spirits, some of whom have been touched by the harshness of the world. So, I represented these touches with ink strokes. The most touched by the complexities of a modern world are Oberon and Puck. They feature the most ink stains.
In reality, there are four worlds in this one show: the court, a harsh and brooding world beset by wars abroad; the lovers, who find in themselves the independence and strength they cannot possess in the court; the mechanicals, who try desperately to enact a play for their community; and the fairy world that is trying to cope with this new strange world. We have used lighting to create the atmosphere distinct to each world. Harsh lighting for the court, softer lighting for the mechanicals, dream like lighting for the Fairies, etc...and the costumes show different status of the characters in their respective worlds.
I hope you enjoy the show, and remember “think but this and all is mended. That you have but slumbered here while these visions did appear.”
Sweet Dreams,
M.B. Griffin
Artistic Director
