The first publicity shots from A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Abbey have just arrived, and already I’m loving it! This is a new production with Pan Pan’s Gavin Quinn (Director) and Aedín Cosgrove (Set and Lighting Designer) at the helm, with a very impressive cast including John Kavanagh (Lysander), Áine Ní Mhuirí as (Hermia), Gina Moxley (Helena) and Barry McGovern (Demetrius) among many others. The setting for the play has been moved to an Old Folk’s Home confirming that love has no upper age limit.

Full details can be found on the Abbey Website here.

Run:                          Wednesday, 11 February – Saturday, 28 March 2015

Previews:    11 – 16 February

Opens:          Tues 17 February

Loyal to Shakespeare’s original text, this contemporary production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream features a cast of great senior actors appearing in traditionally younger roles.  Playing the four lovers are John Kavanagh (Lysander) and Áine Ní Mhuirí as (Hermia), with Gina Moxley (Helena) and Barry McGovern (Demetrius).  

The Mechanicals, some of Shakespeare’s best loved comedic characters, are portrayed by Andrew Bennett  (Nick Bottom), David Pearse (Peter Quince), Peadar Lamb  (Francis Flute), Des Cave (Robin Starveling), Des Nealon (Tom Snout) and John Olohan (Snug).  David Pearse also plays Egeus.

Declan Conlon plays Oberon & Theseus with Fiona Bell as Titania & Hippolyta.  Love is on the loose in a world of sprites, elves and nymphs including Daniel Reardon (Puck & Philostrate), Stella McCusker (Peaseblossom), Máire Hastings (Cobweb), Máire Ní Ghráinne (Mustard Seed), Helen Roche (Moth) and Shadaan Felfeli (Indian boy).

A Midsummer Night’s Dream rejoices in the magical power of love to transform whilst cautioning us against its excesses and foolishness.  The most popular comedy in Shakespeare’s canon weaves together four stories on a midsummer night:  the marriage of the Athenian duke to the Amazon queen; the warring Oberon and Titania, king and queen of the fairies; the follies of the four lovers, and the comical efforts of The Mechanicals to stage a play for the royal wedding.

The action of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is centred around the world of an older people’s home. Director Gavin Quinn employs his trademark creativity to fire our imaginations and embrace the vitality of old age in search of love.  The chemistry and charisma between this accomplished cast allows Shakespeare’s poetic language to sparkle. It is a spectacularly invigorating and funny production on the conceit of old age.

Current cast members John Olohan, Desmond Cave, Máire Ní Ghráinne and Peadar Lamb appeared in the Abbey Theatre’s 1979 production of A Midsummer Night’s, the last time the play was produced at the national theatre.

 

A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the Abbey stage

 

Run:                          Wednesday, 11 February – Saturday, 28 March 2015

Previews:    11 – 16 February

Opens:          Tues 17 February

Times:          7.30 pm (Mon-Sat); 2.00 (Sat matinee)

Tickets:        €13 – €40/ Concessions €13 – €25

Post-show talk on 26 February 2015: 

Cast members of A Midsummer Night’s Dream speak to Seán Rocks, Arena/RTÉ Radio

Cast (in alphabetical order)

 

Titania and Hippolyta – Fiona Bell

Nick Bottom – Andrew Bennett

Robin Starveling– Des Cave

Oberon and Theseus – Declan Conlon

Indian boy – Shadaan Felfeli

Cobweb – Máire Hastings

Lysander – John Kavanagh

Francis Flute – Peadar Lamb

Peaseblossom – Stella McCusker

Demetrius – Barry McGovern

Helena – Gina Moxley

Mustard Seed – Máire Ní Ghráinne

Hermia – Áine Ní Mhuirí

Tom Snout – Des Nealon

Snug – John Olohan

Egeus and Peter Quince – David Pearse

Puck and Philostrate – Daniel Reardon

Moth – Helen Roche

Creatives

Gavin Quinn:  Director

Aedín Cosgrove:  Set and Lighting Designer

Bruno Schwengl:  Costume Designer

Jimmy Eadie:  Composer and Sound

Ronan Phelan:   Resident Assistant Director

Rebekka Duffy:  Assistant Designer