‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ has been shown at the Barbican from December 3rd, 2024, to January 18th, 2025. Set in Athens, this mythical and mystical tale has endured as one of William Shakespeare’s most outstanding pieces of work. A comedy play with tragic elements has been performed since it was first written, believed to be around 1595.
With the threat of death imposed on Hermia for not agreeing to marry Demetrius, the man her father has chosen, she and Lysander decide to flee into the forest. Hermia loves Lysander, so the pair plan their escape and secret marriage. Then there is Helena, who loves Demetrius, but a spell gone wrong by fairies in the woods was intended for Demetrius to fall for Helena, but it was cast on Lysander by mistake.
As the subplot protagonists navigate their way through conflicting emotions for one another and an enchanted forest, they must find a resolution for their problems or face dire consequences. Countless other iterations of the play have succeeded, such is the robust storyline that has stood the test of time.
New Cast Members
We’re delighted to see the following names line up for the stage performance of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, some of which you may recognise.
Andrew Richardson – Oberon/Theseus
Katherine Pearce – Puck
Alexander Bellinfantie – Moth
Eliza Smith – Mustardseed
Natalie Thomas – Peaseblossom
Returning Cast Members
Complementing the new faces are the existing cast members who’ve delighted crowds on many occasions thus far.
Nicholas Armfield – Demetrius
Mathew Baynton – Nick Bottom
Emily Cundick – Snout
Esme Hough – Cobweb
Ryan Hutton – Lysander
Laurie Jamieson – Snug
Neil McCaul – Egeus
Helen Monks – Rita Quince
Adrian Richards – Philostrate
Boadicea Ricketts – Helena
Sirine Saba – Titania/Hippolyta
Dawn Sievewright – Hermia
Mitesh Soni – Francis Flute
Premi Tamang – Robin Starveling
Eleanor Rhode, the director of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, had this to say: “I am so excited to be back in the rehearsal room for A Midsummer Night’s Dream with our incredible company. There was so much joy and energy in the making of the original production, and this came through strongly to our audiences in Stratford, who responded in kind. What a treat to be able to get to do it all again – we can’t wait to fill the Barbican stage with love, laughter and magic!”
Creative Team Members
Lucy Osborne – Set and Costume Design
John Bullied – Illusion Direction and Design Matt Daw – Lighting Design
Will Gregory – Compositions
Pete Malkin – Sound Design
Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster – Movement Direction
Will Duke – Video Design
Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown – Fight and Intimacy Direction
Purchasing tickets in advance for ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at the Barbican is advisable, given how popular the play is. If you’re considering a gift for somebody else, consider Theatre Tokens as the perfect way to show how well you know them with the gift of live theatre.