We were treated to a magical evening of theatre as Dover Court International School's Years 8 and 9 students presented an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s most beloved comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Lord, what fools these mortals be! -Puck (Act 3, Scene 2)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a story of order and disorder, reality and appearance, with the theme of love at its core. First performed in 1596 it is widely regarded as Shakespeare’s most beloved comedy and incredibly, it still retains its relevance in today’s world.
Set in an enchanted forest near Athens, the plot weaves between the complex relationships of the mortal world and a fantastical fairy kingdom. Always at the heart of the mischief is Puck, who takes on the role of ‘the fool’, a regular feature of Shakespeare’s plays; Puck comments on the action and is regarded as an unreliable jester, but whose dialogue is underpinned with truth and wisdom.
This was our first post Covid production and it seem eminently fitting, as the four young Athenian characters (Lysander, Demetrius, Helena & Hermia) find themselves in ‘dream-like’ state, not dissimilar to our own experience over the past two years. Especially in relation to The Expressive Arts, the pandemic imposed a momentary void in creativity, curiosity, and connectivity. Once again, during the rehearsal process we have been reminded of the importance and value of the collaborative experience and how working with our young people on this artistic venture serves to enhance the wellbeing of all. The ending of the play itself mirrored the collective journey we find ourselves on, as we see the unifying power of theatre in bringing the worlds of the Athenians, the Mechanicals, the Fairies and the changeling child together.
Just as the young Athenian’s reawaken, we hope to have reawakened your imagination during the performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
