| The Duke of Athens & the Queen of the Amazons are to marry. A pair of lovers decide to elope, who are pursued by their erstwhile partners. In the night time forest they are bewitched and beguiled by the faerie folk. At the same time a troupe of amateur actors gather to rehearse for the Dukes wedding celebration, they too encounter the faerie folk with especially disastrous results for one of their party. The lovers and actors are not helped by being unwitting pawns in a marital dispute within the world of faerie. This all ends with love and laughter.
This is one of Shakespeares greatest comedies. With some of most vibrant characters & lyrical imagery in literature it is a true challenge for a cast and crew to do justice to it. Dealing with an overall theme of love with a variety of humour and poignancy it is also one of the most accessible of Shakespeares plays proved by its endurance & popularity over the last four hundred years. It has a richness of language & the humour is both highbrow and lowbrow. It is a story that both mocks and celebrates love. These are the themes that I wish to celebrate.
I picture the Athenian Court as late 18th Century/early 19th Century Regency style, but with a modern flourish (ie 1920's). Dressed as fops and ‘pretty young things’ with exaggerated mannerisms (but not too exaggerated!) they will contrast with the world of Faerie. The faerie folk will be seen as using Pre-History Celtic & Pictish motifs, the men in brigga and torcs, the women similar, all with pictish & celtic motif body art.
Characters. (With ages, they are a guide only. I welcome auditions from women for a variety of the roles.)
Members of the Athenian Court:
Theseus, Duke of Athens: male, age range 30-50. A gracious Leader. (may be doubled with Oberon)
Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, age range 30-50. Another gracious Leader (may be doubled with Titania)
Egeus – Father of Hermia (male 40-60)– A harsh man, believer in the word of the law.
Philostrate – Master of Revels (male/female 40+)– a public servant who has seen it all. (small role – may be doubled with a faerie)
The Young Lovers:
Lysander – a young noble courtier (age range 18-25) – passionately in love. Earnest, young..nice but a bit dim.
Demetrius – a young noble courtier (age range 18-25) – passionately in love. Earnest, young..nice but a bit dim.
Hermia – a young noble courtier (age range 18-25) – very much in love.
Helena – a young noble courtier (age range 18-25) – very much in love. A bit nerdier than Hermia & will need to be slightly taller than Hermia.
These young lovers do have their own individuality however as a rough character archtype then think the public perception of Paris Hilton meeting Lord Bryon (they have some of the best lyrical & passionate language in the play.)
Faerie:
Oberon – King of the Faeries (male – 30-50 – atheletic build.). Physically powerful & passionate.
Titania – Queen of the Faeries (female – 30-50) Passionate & regal.
Puck or Robin Goodfellow – Oberon's sidekick. (male/female – 25-35) Sly, cynical, sarcastic, slightly put upon, glorious Faerie with attitude.
Cobweb/Peaseblossom/Moth/Mustardseed -| Faeries in Titanias service (female/male – 18+, to be doubled as courtiers) Earthy,
The Mechanicals:
Peter Quince – (female/male 30-50) Director of the Mechanicals, but his/her dayjob is a Carpenter. Like all the Mechanicals has more enthusiasm than talent. Unlike the rest, is slightly more aware of this, but only slightly
Nick Bottom – The lead actor of the Mechanicals – (male/female 30-40) - Believes in his talent. Full of confidence and believes he knows more than he actually does. Earnest. Unaware of his failings. A little bombastic perhaps?
Francis Flute – Will play Thisbe (a female role) in their Play. (male/female youngest of the Mechanicals)
Tom Snout – Plays Wall, a tremendous achievement. (male/female any age, preferably tall)
Robin Starveling – Plays Moonshine, possibly drunk. (male/female any age)
Snug – Plays a Lion, with great care not to be frightening. (male/female any age)
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