“A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM” OPENS 2006 SEASON AT BARD ON THE BEACH SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

In Full … Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival opens its 17th season with the magical comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It plays Tuesdays through Sundays in the 520-seat open-ended Mainstage tent in Vanier Park from June 1 through September 24, 2005. Dean Paul Gibson returns to Bard for his 6th season as a director following last summer’s sold-out stagings of Hamlet and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.

A Midsummer’s Night Dream is a delicious tale of meddling fairies, star-crossed lovers, royal engagements, and muddled tradesmen caught up in erotic chaos. The most popular comedy in Shakespeare’s canon, this side-splittingly funny romp has love on the loose in a world of sprites, elves and nymphs.

Oberon, King of the Fairies (Ian Butcher) is upset with his Queen Titania (Colleen Wheeler) so he commands the mischievous fairy Puck (Kyle Rideout) to charm her with a nectar that causes love-at-first-sight. Puck arranges for Titania to become beguiled by a simple weaver named Bottom (Scott Bellis) whom he has transformed into an ass. Meanwhile at court, Hermia (Tara Jean Wilkin) loves Lysander (Parnelli Parnes) but her father insists she marry Demetrius (Josue Laboucane), who in turn is loved by spurned Helena (Melissa Poll). They run away to the forest where Puck further entangles their affections using the magic potion. Adding to the humour are a group of bumbling tradesmen - Peter Quince (Bernard Cuffling), Starveling (Paul Moniz de Sá), Snout (Russell Roberts), Flute (Haig Sutherland) and Snug (Allan Zinyk) - who are rehearsing a play they hope to present at court. The play is to be staged at the imminent nuptials of Duke Theseus (Mike Wasko) to the Amazon Queen, Hippolyta (Karen Rae). Titania’s fairies include Rae, Wasko and Zinyk and Luisa Jojic as Peaseblossom.

The setting and design for Gibson’s staging of …Dream are inspired by the architecture of Frank Gehry, circus elements and a “twisted Victorian” style. Set Designer Kevin McAllister has created a multi-leveled stage using circles and strong contrasts that will showcase colourful props, including the themed use of umbrellas. Mara Gottler’s costume designs crystallize Gibson’s “collision of periods”. Inspired in part by the Japanese “Hirajuku girls,” the costumes will be a vibrant mix of modern and period looks. They will incorporate styles from the circus, the ballet, Victorian England and pantomime and will feature dramatic make up and hair colour. Gerald King’s lighting will reinforce the magic and the drama with effects that extend right into the audience. Alessandro Juliani and Meg Roe’s sound design includes fanciful original music, while Nicolas Harrison’s fight choreography will bring precision and humour to the on-stage tussles. An original puppet for the Changeling Child will be created by Jeny Cassidy. Production Stage Manager Stephen Courtenay is assisted by Kelly Barker (Assistant Stage Manager) and Marcella Hyde (Apprentice Stage Manager). Assistant to the Director is Aaron Caleb.

Performance details for A Midsummer Night’s Dream are as follows:
• Previews: June 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7; Opens: June 8.
• Runs Tuesdays through Sundays from June 1 to September 24 - Mainstage tent in Vanier Park.
• Plays in repertory with Measure for Measure which begins June 14.
• Bard-B-Q & Fireworks evenings: July 26, 29, August 2, 5 at 6:00 pm.
• Celebrating Red & White wine event – pre-show on August 19.

Tickets are $17.00 to $29.50. Order on-site, by phone at 604-739-0559, or on-line at www.bardonthebeach.org. Season Sponsor is Starbucks and Production Sponsor for A Midsummer Night’s Dream is Vancity.