A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Play

Writers: William Shakespeare

Overview

Show Information

Category
Play
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1595
Genres
Comedy, Fairy Tale/Fantasy
Settings
Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
Athens in antiquity, A magical forest
Cast Size
large
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal for
College/University, Large Cast, Regional Theatre, High School, Professional Theatre
Casting Notes
Mostly male cast
Includes adult, mature adult, elderly, young adult, late teen characters

Synopsis

In one of the most famous of literary love quadrangles, A Midsummer Night’s Dream tells the tale of Hermia, Demetrius, Lysander, and Helena; four misguided lovers whose journey into the woods lands them in even more trouble, as members of the fairy kingdom decide to use them as veritable pawns in their own love games. Against the backdrop of the wedding of Duke Theseus and Hippolyta, and the fiery battle of wills between the Fairy King and Queen, Oberon and Titania, the four lovers are challenged by magic and trickery to finally work out what love is all about.

Lead Characters


A Midsummer Night’s Dream guide sections