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Performed by the LSC at the Bishop's Old Palace,
Lincoln 21st June - 2nd July 1994
and Bolingbroke Castle, Old Bolingbroke 7th -
9th July 1994
Director: Simon Clark
Assistant Director: Richard Jones
Music: Nikki-Kate Heyes and Steve Hughs
Cast
Theseus, Duke of Athens: Rob Smith
Hippolyta: Liz Lucas
Philostrate: Jo CLark
Egeus: Richard Main
Hermia, a lady: Jo Smith
Lysander: Dave Clayton
Demetrius: Richard Jones
Helena: Karen Harrison
Peter Quince: Simon Clark
Nick Bottom: Colin Brimblecombe
Francis Flute: Russell Grantham
Tom Snout: John Armitage
Robin Starveling: Andy Mayer
Snug: Simon Hollingworth
Oberon: Rob Smith
Titania: Liz Lucas
Puck: Jo Clark
Faerie: Richard Main
Peaseblossom: Russell Grantham
Cobweb: John Armitage
Moth: Andy Mayer
Mustardseed: Simon Hollingworth
The play contains three stories that weave round each other. The
first contains a quartet of lovers: Hermia and Lysander and Demetrius
and Helena. Both men love Hermia, though her father's favour lies
with Demetrius who is loved by Helena and loathed by Hermia. Lysander
and Hermia plan to elope through the forest outside Athens but are
followed by Demetrius, who is himself pursued by the lovesick Helena.
Meanwhile, in the same forest Oberon and Titania, King and Queen
of the Faeries, are quarrelling over a changeling boy that Titania
refuses to give up. In revenge, Oberon places a magic potion in
the Queen's eyes which causes her to fall in love with the first
living thing she sees upon waking. A group of rustics are also in
the forest, rehearsing for a play. In sport, Puck, Oberon's chief
attendant, places an Ass's head on Nick Bottom the weaver. Titania
wakes and falls in love with this 'ass' at first sight. Oberon witnesses
Helena's distress and orders Puck to apply the love potion to Demetrius.
He mistakes the two athenians and soon both young man are besotted
with Helena. The play is resolved when each couple is restored to
the 'right' partner. Titania is released from the spell and makes
up with Oberon; Bottom is returned to his normal shape. Marriages
swiftly follow and the rustics perform their play at the wedding
feast which is blessed by the faeries.
"My casting as Francis Flute also saw me
portray Peaseblossom, one of the fairies attending on Titania.
This all singing, all dancing role did not quite make use of my
artistic talents since my two left feet are as flat as my toneless
ability to sing! I was therefore humiliatingly instructed to mime
to all the songs during one of the dance routines. I somehow managed
to tread on my fairy wings and tear them from my person. Hardly
the dainty summer fairies one imagines, I'm afraid."
Russell Grantham, 'Flute' and 'Peaseblossom'.
"Funny, farcical, fantastic"
SM, Lincolnshire Echo 24/6/94
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