A Midsummer Night’s Dream

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A Midsummer's Night's Dream is one of Shakespeare's most beloved and most performed comedies. This fanciful tale follows a group of amateur thespians and two Athenian couples into a magical, moonlit forest where they encounter mischievous fairies, ruled by Oberon and Titania, king and queen of the fairy kingdom. The play begins in anticipation of the wedding between Duke Theseus of Athens and the Amazonian Queen, Hippolyta. The lovely Hermia argues with her father who has demanded she should marry Demetrius, a man she cares nothing for. Hermia is in love with Lysander. When her father informs Theseus of his daughter's wishes, reminding them both that the penalty for disobeying one's father is death, the Duke issues a compromise. Hermia can either marry Demetrius or live a life worshipping the goddess Diana as a nun. Hermia and Lysander decide their only option is to elope, and run off together through the forest. Before leaving, Hermia told her plan to her friend, Helena. Helena, in love and spurned by Demetrius, share Hermia and Lysander's plan with him, hoping to garner his approval. Instead, Demetrius becomes furious, and sets off through the forest after his betrothed with Helena in close pursuit. A Midsummer's Night Dream remains a delightful journey into a moonlit reverie.

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