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A very different version of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is set to be performed at the Victorian Walled Gardens at Saumarez Park (11-15 July), as Music Theatre Guernsey returns to the marquee venue it sold out for The Bakewell Bake Off two years ago.
Although all the words are still Shakespeare’s, this production takes a unique approach to the Bard’s most frequently performed play.
“We wanted to do something different with a classic, in true MTG fashion,” said director and MTG founder Darren Alderton.
“I’ve had a passion, for a while, to tell this story from the perspective of the fairies. Most productions will cut out a lot of their scenes, focussing on the lovers. But instead of seeing how the lovers are affected by the fairies, I wanted to explore why the fairies impact them the way they do.”
The production, featuring an unusually large cast of 21, opens with the perennially omitted young boy being protected by the fairy queen Titania.
“We come into the play through that boy’s eyes, as he settles into bed to the sound of his parents arguing, which evolves into an argument in the play, as his playthings become a new reality – his mysterious, gothic woodland dream. And we thereby explore the motivations of Titania. Why does this amazing, spiritual creature want to protect, so badly, this one element of normality in the world that’s changing around her? That’s what I find fascinating.”
“The whole play revolves around my dream,” said 11-year-old Jacques Cathcart, who plays the boy. “It starts with me and I end it all off.”
Jacques’ mother Claire Cathcart, though experienced in acting and directing, is performing with MTG for the first time. She plays Bottom, one of the skilled labourers - known as the Mechanicals - who put on a play within the play, all of whom are played by women in this production.
This idea derived from an MTG experiment during the second Covid lockdown, when the company organised a read-through on Zoom with an almost entirely female cast. What was discovered was that some elements of the play did not work at all well but the female Mechanicals “added a whole new level of comedy, especially if some of the actors were of a more mature age,” Darren revealed.
“Instead of six burly, working men trying to put a play on, we have, essentially, the WI – a knit and natter group,” he said.
“I never in my life thought that I would get to play the part of Bottom,” said Claire. “It’s great to have a completely different take on the Mechanicals but also quite hard as an actor, as I’ve only ever seen them played by men. I don’t ordinarily think of myself as a funny person but it’s been great to see the comedic elements of our scenes develop as we rehearse.”
By contrast, some of her scenes with Titania - which are usually played for laughs - are presented more seriously in this production.
“Normally Titania has a sort of comedy role with Bottom but this is quite different,” said Nikki Becker, who plays Titania. “The comedy has been taken out of that and it’s become a bit more sinister and creepy, which is really good fun to play. If you’ve seen A Midsummer Night’s Dream before, don’t come expecting the same thing – it’s very, very different.”
Fresh from his starring role as Patsy in MTG’s Spamalot, Scar Stewart is one of several actors proving in this production the old actor’s adage that there is no such thing as a small role.
“I play one of the spirits and we provide a backdrop that gives a lift to what’s going on, centre stage. I only have three lines but I’m on stage a lot of the time. It’s very physical. The primary thing is how you move, how you get around,” he said.
Fellow spirit Aaron Nash has been another to step directly out of the absurdity of Monty Python into Shakespeare’s classic tale.
“Last time I did Shakespeare, I would have been in secondary school, which was a good 20-odd years ago but Spamalot was one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life, so I was happy to jump into this one,” he said.
MTG’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs from Tuesday 11 July to Saturday 15 July, with performances every evening at 7.30pm (tickets £14 and £12, entry into the gardens from 7pm) and also a matinee on Saturday 15 July at 2.30pm (£10, entry from 2pm). Tickets are available from www.mtgsy.gg/book
The Saumarez Park Café will be open prior to performances and there will also be an interval, during which hot and cold drinks and snacks will be available at the venue. The show is expected to be about two and a quarter hours, including the interval.
MTG considers the production to be suitable for all ages.
Interviews
Please call Simon De La Rue on 07781 426199 for further information or to arrange any interviews with director Darren Alderton or any members of the cast.
About Music Theatre Guernsey
Music Theatre Guernsey (MTG) was launched in June, 2020 by Darren Alderton after the end of the first lockdown, as a way to encourage more people to access the arts. The company stages music and theatre productions, activities and events across the breadth of Guernsey in both established venues and unexpected and interesting locations.
Our Purpose
MTG exists to give opportunities to anyone to be involved in music and theatre. We aim to bring new local talent in all forms to the forefront and to develop individuals and their passions for writing, acting, lighting, directing and more. We believe that theatre should not just entertain but also challenge our expectations and understanding of the world, giving us a chance to reflect and learn.
