Tuesday 2 June 2015

The HandleBards present A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Wednesday 2 September 7pm

The HandleBards present A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare.  


Performers – Callum Brodie, Tom Dixon, Calum Hughes-McIntosh, Matt Seager Director – James Farrell Producer – Peculius

"4 actors, 4 bicycles and a 1500 mile adventure."  

Touring the UK, carrying all their set, props and costumes by bicycle, the HandleBards present their all-male production of Shakespeare’s woodland extravaganza – all 21 characters of it. Bring a picnic and join us in the great outdoors for a fast-paced farce. Described by Sir Ian McKellen as “outrageous” and “uproariously funny”, this is Shakespeare performed with eight very sore legs. www.handlebards.com

***** ‘An unmissable show’ – Broadway Baby (Macbeth, 2014) **** ‘It’s back to basics storytelling in the BEST way’ – WhatsOnStage (The Comedy Of Errors, 2014)

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A Midsummer Night's Dream - Synopsis

Hermia loves Lysander, but her father, Egeus, wants her to marry Demetrius. Demetrius was recently in love with Helena (but isn't any more), and Helena still adores Demetrius. Duke Theseus advises Hermia that she should abide by her father's wishes and marry Demetrius. Because of this, Hermia and Lysander decide to run away together.
Helena turns up and is devastated that Demetrius no longer loves her. To console her, Hermia tells her of their plan to escape to the woods - if Hermia is gone, then perhaps Demetrius will love Helena again. However, Helena tells Demetrius this and the two of them give chase into the woods.

In the woods the fairy kingdom reigns, presided over by Oberon and Titania. The two of them are quarrelling and so the kingdom is in disarray. A group of local tradesmen have decided to come to the woods to rehearse an amateur performance to be shown at Duke Theseus' wedding. Bottom the weaver is the keenest actor of all the tradesmen. During a rehearsal, Bottom is transformed by the fairies into a donkey.
Oberon, the fairy king, instructs his servant, Puck, to put a love potion in Demetrius' eyes so that he and Helena may fall in love. However, Puck puts the potion in Lysander's eyes, who wakes up and falls for Helena. Puck later puts the potion in Demetrius' eyes, who also wakes and falls for Helena.


Oberon has also used the love potion on Titania, who wakes and falls in love with the donkey-headed Bottom. Oberon enjoys this sport for a while, but eventually removes the charm from all but Demetrius. Oberon and Titania reconcile, the lovers pair off, and Bottom returns to perform ‘Pyramus and Thisbe’.


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2014 Ice Bucket Challenge with Sir Ian McKellen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrjMMqnKFIs

Macbeth on Dunsinnan Hill - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nh64EqO2Io

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