CHESHIRE COLLEGE STAGES A DREAM OF A SHOW

The performance was the work of Level 3 Performing Arts Practice students, and bookings were open to College students, staff, local schools and members of the public. In order to promote the event, the team also created their own Midsummer’s Resort Instagram account, sharing the cast’s journey as they prepared for their debut. Bringing Shakespeare’s words to life is something which the students worked hard to achieve, often undertaking extensive research to enhance their characters.

Laurensiana Dacosta Xavier, who played the role of Theseus said:

“Personally, I think Shakespeare is highly complex and unique because it was written in a different era. However, after spending weeks doing research and learning about my character, it eventually became second nature for me to act and gesture in character.”

The performance also embraced some more modern elements, whilst remaining faithful to Shakespeare’s original text. Lysander, traditionally played by a man, was re-imagined as a woman and performed by student Connie Wigram:

“It took a lot of character building and trying to find my character and who she was so I could play her to the best of my ability. Luckily, I was surrounded by very talented actors who supported me throughout the rehearsal process and during the performance, and a director who encouraged us to voice our opinions.”

Similarly, Macy Thorp imagined the role of Hippolyta as an overthe-top mother, citing a favourite moment as: “When I crawled on stage screaming and crying with mascara all down my face. The audience was laughing, and they really engaged with it.”

The enduring comedy of the play is something which the actors said they connected to. Harriet Cox, in the role of Helena commented:-

“I think the comedic elements are what made the performance so much fun. One of my favourite moments is when Demetrius thew water on me, as well as when I jumped onto his back and begged for his love.”

Hermia’s actor, Jess Green, said that the wordplay as well as physical comedy was what helped to sell the play:

“I especially enjoyed performing the fight scene between Hermia, Helena, Lysander and Demetrius, it was faced paced difficult to get right but once we got those timings right it ended up looking really good.”

According to Quince’s actor, Max Hainey, the cast also collaborated to find humour and deliveries which would appeal to younger audiences too: “Our group had lots of fun coming up with fun ideas to add even more comedy to our scenes.”

Many of the students are hoping to pursue acting as a profession, including Aflie Naylor, who starred as Demetrius within the play and has previously performed Shakespeare in past youth productions: “I have known from a very young age that I wanted to be an actor and focus all my attention on that. When I found out I could achieve this through a BTEC course, instead of doing two other A-levels I wouldn’t have been passionate about, I knew Cheshire College was the place for me.”