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A Midsummer Night's Dream

Showing at: Open Air Theatre

Box Office: 0844 826 4242

Age: General

Genre: Play

Sub Genre: Play (Comedy)

This new version of the magical tale is re-imagined for everyone aged six and over, using Shakespeare’s original language and text, and is rich in physical humour and visual delight.

Hermia loves Lysander and Helena loves Demetrius, but Demetrius is supposed to be marrying Hermia. When the Duke of Athens tries to enforce the marriage, the loverlorn quartet takes refuge in the forest. What with angry fairies and a group of wandering players, the forest is a busy place. When the bumbling Puck starts clowning around with a love potion, all sorts of mischief ensues.

To help the audience become involved in the story, the performance begins with an interactive prologue introducing the characters and alerting them to milestones in the story.

Read our Centre Stage interview with director Dominic Leclerc

Performance Details

  • previews from: 08 Jul 2008
  • opening night: 12 Jul 2008
  • closing: 02 Aug 2008

show times: Various - please check with theatre for dates and times

ticket prices: £10-£42

Assisted Performances

sign language interpreted performance: By Sign Language International on Wed 30 Jul at 14:30, tickets £12 T: 0844 826 4242 E: boxoffice@openairtheatre.org

author: William Shakespeare

director: Dominic Leclerc

set designer: Rachael Canning

lighting designer: Simon Mills

costume: Rachael Canning

designer: Rachael Canning

map: View Map

address: Regents Park, London, United Kingdom, NW1 4NR

nearest tube: Baker Street

nearest bus: 13, 18, 27, 30, 74, 82, 113, 139, 189, 274

parking: The Inner Circle nearby has spaces designated for disabled patrons and there is ample room for minibuses and ambulances to park.

air conditioned: Yes

Assisted Performance Booking Information

Access Booking: Tel: 0844 826 4242 Fax: 020 7487 4562

Accessible Facilities Venue Information

discounts: £10 seats for disabled access.

limited mobility: Patrons with limited mobility are welcome to use our accessible seating on row J. There are also several rows which involve only one or two steps to access the seating.

access description: The main entrance to the theatre is through Queen’s Mary’s gardens and is completely level. There is also a more direct entrance through the Theatre Exit Gate which patrons requiring assistance with access are welcome to use. The main entrance is immediately adjacent to the box office. Through the gate you follow a gentle slope with a handrail. The auditorium entrances are opposite and you enter directly onto the theatre’s accessible row with discounted seats for qualifying patrons. The Theatre Exit Gate is immediately off the Inner Circle Road. There is a ramp up to the gate where a member of staff is on hand to assist. Once in the venue’s grounds there is a gently sloped path upwards with the auditorium at the top on your left hand side. Again, you enter the auditorium directly onto the theatre’s access row. Should you require help, the box office staff are on hand to collect tickets on your behalf. The auditorium consists of two tiers. The lower tear has shallow steps which are easier to negotiate than the Upper Tier. Please be aware that the Upper Tier has steeper steps and doesn’t have any handrail support. All patrons need to exit through the Theatre Exit Gate as The Royal Parks lock Queen Mary’s Gardens during the evening performance.

hearing impaired: Radio-signal system.

guide dogs policy: Guide dogs are welcome and bowls of water can be provided.

wheelchairs: The theatre is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. There is a slight slope up into the theatre and all wheelchair seating (38 spaces) is on the level of entrance into the theatre. The wheelchair is then backed into the designated area and patrons will then have an unobstructed view of the stage. Transfer seats are also available.

toilets: Large Men's and Women's opposite bar.

disabled toilets: Adapted loos are to the left of the box office entrance as you enter the theatre or to the right as you exit the theatre.

legroom: Access guides, large print programmes, talking programmes on request.

food: Tea and cake can be booked in advance for matinee performances and priority suppers can be booked in advance for evening performances. There is also a bar, buffet and barbeque located on site which patrons can select a variety of cocktails, salads, and burgers from.

bars: 1 licensed bar/buffet at ground level

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