ONE of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is being staged at King’s Ely in June.
The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, who are celebrating their 15th birthday this year and an amazing 425 years since the original company was first created, are bringing the hugely popular open-air production to the picturesque gardens of King’s Ely’s Old Palace on the evening of Wednesday, June 5th.
With audiences encouraged to bring picnics, a chair or blanket and a glass of something chilled, the show promises to be another authentic and magical treat from the company that brought last year’s spellbinding production of The Tempest to King’s Ely.
Artistic Director, Peter Stickney, said: “To honour Duke Theseus’ wedding, a group of rustic artisans – and would-be thespians – rehearse a play. Meanwhile, feuding lovers flee the city and seek solace in an enchanted forest alive with warring fairies and the meddling sprite Puck. As the clash between the fairy king and queen, Oberon and Titania, catches everyone in its cross-fire, confusion abounds and makes asses of them all. This supernatural comedy of mischievous fairies, confused lovers and rude mechanicals is an intoxicating tale of clarity found from chaos as tangled love gives way to happily ever-afters. A play like this, set outdoors and in our trademark style bursting with song and magic, makes for an evening not to be missed!”
Founded in 2004, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men are the modern incarnation of Shakespeare’s original company of the same name. Performing with an all-male cast, they present authentic and magical productions of Shakespeare’s finest plays bringing to vivid and accessible life the greatest works of drama, as they would first have been performed. Peter Stickney took over the company as Artistic Director and Chief Executive in 2016.
The production starts at 7pm, although doors open at 6pm to allow people to set up their picnics etc. Tickets are £15 for adults and £10 for children. To book your tickets, please call (01353) 653931 or visit the Box Office: www.kingsely.org/news-events/box-office/