"A Midsummer Night's Dream
Studio Theatre's June 2011 production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream was performed at the Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe and the Plough Arts Centre, Torrington, North Devon.
This production was accepted as part of the RSC Open Stages programme and is also part of the North Devon Festival.
It was directed by Bob Corwin, who has experience of directing and appearing in many productions in the UK and Singapore. Bob has recently appeared in Studio Theatre's Oh What a Lovely War!, Travels With My Aunt and Not Now Darling.
Performances were on
"The course of true love never did run smooth"
Lysander loves Hermia but Hermia is promised to Demetrius. They plan their escape. Helena is Hermia’s best friend and loves Demetrius but she can’t make him love her so she plots to capture him. Both couples find themselves in the forest at night. They are in the realm of Oberon and Titania, King and Queen of the Fairies. But Oberon and Titania are in the midst of a dire feud. Oberon plans his revenge on Titania and enlists the help of his cheeky right hand fairy Puck. Caught up in all this mayhem are a bumbling group of well meaning local craftsmen rehearsing a love tragedy.
The mischief begins as Puck can’t resist the chance to go a tad further than his master intended and things quickly get out of hand.
The result is a charming story full of wit and fun that will engage audiences young and old.
RSC Open Stages
As well as having the chance to participate in RSC workshops, the Hall of Cornwall Theatre in Truro will be mentoring Studio Theatre and sending representatives to see the production. The play will also be filmed and posted on the Open Stages web site and, as a result, Studio Theatre could be invited to perform at the Hall of Cornwall Theatre or even at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Studio Theatre’s Bob Corwin, director of the play, is excited at the link with the RSC: “We have been absolutely delighted to hear that the production is now part of the RSC Open Stages Initiative.
“It fits perfectly with what Studio Theatre is trying to achieve in attracting younger audiences to theatre and Shakespeare in particular.”
Michael Boyd, RSC artistic director, explained: “RSC Open Stages is a new project that aims to embrace, develop and celebrate amateur theatre, re-forging the bond with the world of professional theatre while opening up access to Shakespeare for performers and audiences alike.
“Over 2011/2012 the RSC, in partnership with a number of regional theatres and amateur theatre associations, will run a national programme of skills sharing events and showcases, with amateur societies from across the UK producing their own RSC-branded Shakespeare themed productions.
“The RSC wants to lead a step change in the relationship with the amateur sector; to recognise its rich traditions, open our doors to its work and collaborate with partners nationally to leave a significant legacy.”
RSC Open Stages will culminate in a national celebration, when a selection of participants are invited to perform their productions at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon, as part of the World Shakespeare Festival, performing alongside the company’s own festival productions and those from theatre companies from around the world.
The RSC Open Stages project is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, which has shown a real commitment to supporting the collaboration of amateur and professional theatre makers. The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation was established in 1961 by Ian Fairbairn as a memorial to his wife Esmée. Today it is one of the largest independent grant-making foundations in the UK.
The foundation aims to improve the quality of life for people and communities in the UK both now and in the future. It funds the charitable activities of organisations that have the ideas and ability to achieve change for the better and likes to consider work which others may find hard to fund, perhaps because it breaks new ground, appears too risky, requires core funding, or needs a more unusual form of financial help such as a loan. It also takes initiatives where new thinking is required or where there are important unexplored opportunities. The foundation aims to commit £25 million annually towards a wide range of work. Its primary interests are in the UK's cultural life, education and learning, the natural environment and enabling disadvantaged people to participate more fully in society.
For details visit the RSC Open Stages web site.
