A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

In November 2021, Emanuel’s senior students staged a punked-up version of Shakespeare’s whimsical comedy where the ‘course of true love’ runs far from smoothly...

In November of 2021, students in Years 10-13 performed in the Senior Play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This iconic Shakespearean comedy follows four lovers who run away to the forest, only to become the victims of cheeky Puck’s fairy magic, resulting in two characters in love with the same girl at once. Packed into this fast-paced play is also a rivalry of fairy kingdoms and an interesting rendition of the bizarrely tragi-comic Pyramus and Thisbe performed by the Mechanicals.

Miss Fearnley worked her own magic to give this classic play an exciting twist. In this version of A Midsummer Night’s our audience was transported to the 1980s, where the action took place in an abandoned playground. Instead of trees and leaves, we used climbing frames and seesaws as our set, accompanied by the top hits of the 80s to create this wild and funny production. Miss Fearnley also steered away from the original genders of some of the characters in the play, adding the element of not only unrequited love, but potentially transgressive love

In my role as Hermia, I was so fortunate to work with the lovely Maisie Annie (10REM), and Joe (11SJB) as the lovers — playing our characters was definitely an experience we will never forget. Our mischievous lead fairies were played by the wonderful Sophia (U6AEM), Alice (L6SPA)

And this play would not be complete without the hilarious Lucy (U6JED), Julian (11JEH), Olivia Oscar (11NS), and Lars (11CMB), led by Lella (U6SSP). The cast was such a joy to work with, and it was so nice getting to know the younger years, especially after being separated for last year’s musical due to Covid. Of course, this play would not have been possible without the incredibly dedicated staff! Thank you to Miss Fearnley and Mr Norton Smith for being fantastic directors, and to Miss Kerstein and everyone working backstage for bringing the show to life.

Ironically, this was my first and last Senior Play at Emanuel. A Midsummer Night’s Dream was the perfect way to conclude my time at Emanuel. Being a part of something so collaborative and positive was so rewarding, especially being able to work alongside some of my closest friends. I can’t wait to come back and watch the future productions at Emanuel.