After
the stunning popularity among audiences, venues and actors alike, I
decided to tour A Midsummer Night's Dream again, and it has since become a
staple of Chapterhouse tours.
I chose Twelfth Night as the sister tour to Midsummer, as I
thought another comedy would be popular, particularly as the comedy is
quite different. Instead of mischievous fairies, you instead have
mischievous drunks, a snobbish steward and a woman dressed as a man. All
superbly comic stuff, as I am sure you agree.
I said in the programme that I considered myself to be
very fortunate to produce theatre at the most beautiful places in Britain,
and that still holds true today, perhaps even more so.
Richard Main |
Twelfth
Night
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Karen Crow
Duke Orsino is in love with the
Countess Olivia. She is in mourning and refuses to see him. Twins,
Sebastian and Viola, are shipwrecked off the coast of Illyria. Both are
saved but each believes the other drowned.
Fearing the dangers of a strange town, Viola disguises herself as a young
man called ‘Cesario’ in order that she might find employment at the
Duke Orsino’s court. The Duke, recognising a gentleness in ‘the
boy,’ sends Cesario (Viola) to woo Olivia on his behalf, little suspecting
that his go-between is in love, with him!
Olivia’s
Uncle, Sir Toby Belch, encourages his totally unsuitable friend,
Sir Andrew Aguecheek, to woo his niece. Meanwhile, Olivia’s Steward,
Malvolio, has made himself very unpopular because of his puritanical
pomposity and the other members of the household plot together to bring
him down a peg or two.
Olivia falls in love with ‘Cesario’ and Sir Toby persuades Sir Andrew
to challenge his ‘rival’ to a duel. When Sebastian arrives, things
really get complicated!
Eventually the mix-ups and mistaken identities are resolved. Sebastian is
reunited with his twin who reveals her true identity to the surprised Duke
and Countess.
Malvolio learns the full extent of the tricks played upon him and swears
his revenge. |
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What the
audience said
'Marcus Cooper and Andrew McWilliam...gave superb
performances, proving that top quality actors can still be found'
'The whole company threw their all into what was a
most memorable outdoor performance.
Set against a backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean - what could be more perfect
a substitute for the shores of Ilyria? !! I wholeheartedly recommend the
Chapterhouse Theatre Company. You will be thoroughly entertained.'
'My first live Shakespeare performance, and I
never expected it to be so laugh-out-loud funny! I am now a convert and
hope to see another production soon. Brilliant cast and brilliant setting
at Durham Castle. Well done to all those involved!' |
A
Midsummer Night's Dream
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Karen Crow
Theseus, Duke of Athens, is making plans for
his wedding to the Amazon Queen, Hippolyta. He is asked to give judgement
in a dispute between Egeus and his daughter Hermia; her father wishes her
to marry Demetrius, she is in love with Lysander.
Warned of the consequences of her defiance, Hermia agrees to
elope with Lysander. The couple confide in Helena, who is herself in love
with Demetrius, and trying to win favour in his eyes she tells him of
their plans.
Meanwhile, in a wood outside the town, an amateur theatrical
troupe are rehearsing a play to be performed for the Duke and his bride on
their wedding day.
The King and Queen of the fairies, Oberon and Titania, have
fallen out over a changeling child in Titania’s possession. In revenge
for her wilfulness, Oberon uses a love potion to place a spell on his
Queen that will cause her to fall madly in love with the first creature
that she sees upon waking.
Helena has followed Demetrius into the wood. Oberon witnesses
an animated exchange between them and vows to help Helena. He orders Puck
to use the love potion upon Demetrius. Puck makes a mistake and it is
Lysander who wakes and falls for Helena! Puck causes more havoc by placing
an ass’s head upon Bottom, the weaver.
Titania wakes and sees Bottom! Both Lysander and Demetrius
woo Helena and spurn Hermia!
Oberon intervenes and the mistakes are rectified and the
quarrels resolved. The couples return to Athens for a triple wedding
celebration with the Duke and Hippolyta. The festivities are crowned by
the performance of “Pyramus and Thisbe” by Bottom and his friends. At
midnight the couples retire to bed and Oberon and Titania, now reunited,
lead the fairies in a blessing.
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What
the audiences said…
First time theatre-goer, but now a convert - great entertainment!
Berri George ("Puck", Midsummer Night's Dream 2002) is
great. Wonder if it's personality, performance or both? Clive
Sherwood
An excellent performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream' at Sandon
Hall last night by a superb cast, knocked spots of the dreadful RSC
version earlier this year, (maybe they could come along and learn a
few lessons). Barry Lillie
I have just seen Shakespeare performed live for the first time. it
was simply magical! thank you so much. Barrie Grimshaw
A truly wonderful English summers evening entertainment. Amazing
weather, champagne, picnic basket and a brilliant cast who made us
laugh till we cried. Fabulous production of MSND at Holkham Hall -
roll on 12th Night - we'll be there! Dot Blayer
Saw your recent production of A Midsummer's Night Dream at Durham
Castle - an excellent night, such an enthusiastic cast. Well done
all. I'll be back for Twelfth Night. Pauline Cook
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