Details

An operatic version of Shakespeare's fantasy play. With great skill and sensitivity, Britten presents the play as a charming opera, retaining the serene magic of the forest, the distress of the lovers, Puck's mischief, and Bottom's lamentably amateur theatre company. New Production. Sung in English. Run time 2 hours 45 minutes. Out in the wood Oberon, the Fairy king and Tytania, his queen, are locked in dispute, and their conflict has turned nature upside down. In nearby Athens live two young women, best friends, one loved by two men, the other by none. When these four escape the harsh restrictions of the city for the freedom of the wood it's their relationships that are turned upside down, so much so that they hardly know each other - or even themselves. By contrast, Bottom the weaver - in the wood with his workmates rehearsing for some amateur theatricals - is always sure of himself, even when he's been made an ass of...

Cast/Performers

James Laing (Oberon), Jeni Bern (Tytania), Elizabeth Atherton (Helena), Frances Bourne (Hermia), Peter Wedd (Lysander), Grant Doyle (Demetrius), Peter Savidge (Theseus), Gaynor Keeble (Hippolyta), Henry Waddington (Bottom), Mark Stone, Stephan Loges (Jun 12 / 19 / 21), Yvonne Howard

Creatives/Company

Music: Benjamin Britten
Author: Shakespeare
Adapted by(s): Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears
Company: Opera North
Conductor: Stuart Stratford
Director: Martin Duncan
Design: Johan Engels
Costume: Ashley Martin-Davis
Lighting: Bruno Poet
Choreographer: Ben Wright