A Midsummer Night’s Dream

By the glow of candlelight, in the depths of winter, discover the magic of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream for the very first time in the indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.

To escape a society ruled by tyrannical law, four young lovers flee to the forest beyond the city walls.

Unbeknownst to them, the world of the woods has been turned upside down by a fierce battle between the Fairy King and Queen, Oberon and Titania, over the ownership of a stolen child.

As the dispute rages on, more people fall victim to the jealousy-fuelled forces of the powerful pair, and the disturbing spells of Oberon’s unruly lackey Puck. As day turns to night, reality becomes illusion, and snow starts to fall in summer, can anyone stop the Dream from becoming a nightmare?

Following 2022’s co-production of Henry V, Shakespeare’s Globe collaborates once again with touring theatre company Headlong to shine candlelight on the shadowy underbelly of one of Shakespeare’s most-loved plays. Naeem Hayat (The Comedy Of Errors, 2023/24) co-directs alongside Headlong Artistic Director Holly Race Roughan.

A production by Shakespeare’s Globe and Headlong, with Bristol Old Vic and Leeds Playhouse

Closing

31/01/2026

Running Time

2h30, inc. interval

Genre

Comedy

Age & Content

12+

Please Note:

This production contains loud noises, strong language, scenes of sexual content, drug use & gunshots.

Cast:

Hedydd Dylan as

Hippolyta / Titania

Dannie Harris, Ben Lynn, as

Ensemble / Cover

Jack Humphrey as

Egeus / Quince

Lou Jackson as

Demetrius / Cobweb

Pria Kalsi as

Flute / Child

Danny Kirrane as

Bottom

Tiwa Lade as

Hermia / Mustardseed

Michael Marcus as

Theseus / Oberon

David Olaniregun as

Lysander / Moth

Tara Tijani as

Helena / Peaseblossom

Sergo Vares as

Puck

Carina Cosgrave as

Double Bass

Musical Director/ Piano/ Guitar as

Richie Hart

Percussion as

Kiyomi Seed

Violin as

Alice Barron

Creative:

Casting Director -

Becky Paris CDG

Candlelight & Lighting Designer -

Joshie Harriette

Co-Director -

Naeem Hayat

Composer & Sound Designer -

Nicola T Chang

Costume Supervisor -

Jackie Orton

Design Associate/ Access Support Worker -

Hugo Aguirre

Designer -

Max Johns

Director -

Holly Race Roughan

Dramaturg -

Dr Frank Peschier

Fight & Intimacy Director -

Haruka Kuroda

Movement Director -

Malik Nashad Sharpe

Origins Assistant Director -

Sonny Nwachukwu

Voice -

Gary Horner

Writer -

William Shakespeare

No accessibility performances are currently scheduled for this show.