A Midsummer Night's Dream

Characters clash, worlds collide, and flames burst from fingers in this imaginative RSC production that adds a fresh twist to Shakespeare's beloved comedy. Four young lovers, threatened by unhappy marriages—or worse—flee the court of Athens and stumble into an enchanted forest, where the line between reality and the fairy world blurs. Beneath the humor, a darker current flows as the couples fall prey to the mischievous power of a "love juice." Mathew Baynton (Horrible Histories, Ghosts) delivers genuine hilarity in his portrayal of Bottom, from exaggerated walks to playful tongue stretches, while revealing a deeper longing for belonging. Directed by Eleanor Rhode, this Dream is a feast for both the eyes and heart, setting the tale in the 1970s while preserving the magical aspects that were first introduced over four hundred years ago.