Concept

A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be an all island production staged in the grounds of Government House by kind permission of His Excellency, Sir John Lorimer.
The performance will a promenade around the gardens of the house and will take place on
5/6/7 September.
Proceeds from the production will be split between MADF and Hospice IOM.
Characters and text will be adapted to make the performance a truly Manx experience.

Key dates

• 1st March: Shakespeare workshop
• 22nd/23rd March: Audition weekend
• May – August: Rehearsals
• 30th/31st August: Dress Rehearsal days
• 5th/6th/7th September: Performance days

Audition

Audition Form
Characters and Auditions Pieces
Production Information

Staging/Setting

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is split into 4 main performance settings:

• Athens
• Forest
• Play within a play
• Wedding

Different parts of the garden will be used for each setting.
The performance will start at 6pm to enable use of as much natural light as possible with the closing stages being at dusk utilising fairy lights in the trees and lanterns to give it a ‘magical’ feel.
The production will set in the 1980’s – an era which gives lots of latitude for creativity.

Music

As there will transitional time between scenes as the audience and the action moves around the garden music will form an integral part of the production.
Including music provides a great opportunity to get more performers involved in this magical experience.
Involvement will include:

• Roc Vannin – 80’s ballads for Athens & Wedding
  scenes
• David Kilgallon – traditional Manx music for Forest
  scene
• Mine’s a Shanty for Play within a play

Costuming

Building on the 80’s theme we will be taking inspiration from some of the classical styles
of the decade.
Athens will step out of the set from Dallas and Dynasty with power suits and shoulder
pads.
The forest scenes will celebrate the pop culture style.
The mechanicals will reflect the tools of their trade. These will come from typical manx trades – fishermen, weavers, thatchers

Casting

Auditions will be held in March 2025.
We will be holding open auditions and will encourage people who have not normally been involved in drama to get involved.
We will be advertising through social media and our ‘Mastering Shakespeare’ initiative where we hope our workshop practitioners will inspire people to continue their Shakespeare journey.
Many of the roles within ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and gender and age fluid and we will be looking to promote diversity through our casting.

Sharing art with the community

As part of our celebration we will be working with Hospice IOM to involve them in the event.
Children from Rebecca House will help make the lanterns for our wedding scene.
Excerpts from the production will be performed in the gardens for patients to enjoy.
Proceeds from the production will be split between MADF and Hospice IOM and will be
used as follows:

• MADF – to host workshops on acting, directing and writing to develop new involvement in our festivals
• Hospice IOM – to provide creative workshops for patients

Diversity/Inclusivity Statement

MADF’s ethos very much focuses on ‘theatre for all’ bringing people from different backgrounds together to enjoy the art of creating live theatre.
Participation is encouraged across the island and everyone is recognised and appreciated for their talents.
As this is an amateur theatre co-operative the majority of participants volunteer their time for rehearsals and performances.
Where professional creatives are involved we aim to ensure we provide appropriate remuneration for their services.

Creative team

• Director – Sharon Walker
• Production – Helen Clarke, Leandra Lawler
• Staging – Andy Simpson, Jenny Halstein
• Costuming – Jude Fullerton
• Music – Roc Vannin, David Kilgallon, Mine’s A Shanty