Preview: A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Singapore Repertory Theatre

“The course of true love never did run smooth.”

This May, Singapore Repertory Theatre’s beloved Shakespeare in the Park series makes a triumphant comeback, as they return to Fort Canning Park to stage the bard’s most popular comedy – A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Last performed as part of Shakespeare In The Park in 2007, get ready to roll out your picnic mats, break out the wine and cheese, as you sit back, relax, and watch the city of Athenia and fairyland come to life before your eyes. On Midsummer Night, plenty of activity is afoot, with the Fairy King and Queen at war, four young lovers elope to the forest, and a group of tradesmen rehearsing for a play.

What could go wrong? Plenty, as chief mischief-maker Puck is determined to pull pranks to ensure that the course of true love is anything but smooth. Puck’s magic spells cause the lovers to change their allegiance, and one of the tradesmen, Nick Bottom, undergoes a shocking transformation. Can the magic of fairyland be reversed before sunrise or will Athenia be turned upside down forever?

Award-winning director Guy Unsworth leads this production, and comments: “After getting past the worst of Covid, I feel society is in a very different place and this calls for something different on stage. I feel a stronger need to celebrate the true themes of the play – love, togetherness, and fun. We need this more than before, we appreciate it more than before, to create something which would celebrate the very thing it is: a piece of live entertainment which brings people together and celebrates love and life.”

A Midsummer Night’s Dream stars Julie Wee (The Merchant of Venice, Julius Caesar), Ghafir Akbar (Guards at the Taj, Julius Caesar), Daniel Jenkins (Romeo & Juliet, Julius Caesar), and Krish Natarajan (The Sound Inside). They will be joined by Natalie Yeap, Timothy Wan, Vanessa Kee, Nicholas Chan, Isabella Chiam, Crenshaw Yeo, Vester Ng, Dennis Sofian, and Rino Junior John.

“How often can you come in shorts and tshirts, lay back on the grass and enjoy one of the greatest pieces of literature brought to life? This is a truly unique opportunity not to be missed,” says Gaurav Kripalani, Artistic Director of SRT. “We stay true to the text, but set the production in a contemporary setting in order to make the show relatable to audiences today. The fact that a play can still remain relevant 450 years later is a testament to the genius of Shakespeare.”

A Midsummer Night’s Dream plays from 3rd to 28th May 2023 at Fort Canning Park. Tickets available here