Community play A Midsummer Night’s Dream opens in Thamesmead

Last night saw the opening of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Birchmere Park in Thamesmead.

The production, produced by Global Fusion Music & Arts and supported by Peabody, sees a community cast of young people, borough residents, students and professional actors coming together to perform Shakespeare’s summer favourite of mistaken love, comedy players and fairy mischief.

With modern songs, live music and a sprinkling of audience participation, the story follows Lysander, Demetrius, Helena and Hermia as they get lost in the forest, stumble upon the fairy kingdom, and become more than a little confused by the antics of the fairies who live there.

Meanwhile, Bottom and his company of amateur players heads to the same forest to rehearse their play, but Bottom is hit by more than inspiration thanks to Puck and a magical flower.

Director James Haddrell said “there is something special about community theatre. It is less about a company of trained professionals performing for an audience, and more about a group of people coming together on both sides of the stage to celebrate theatre in general.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the perfect play for that – the characters talk to the audience, the audience are as much as a part of the experience as the performers – and in this case the mixed company of students and professionals, amateurs and young people all learn from one another.”

Produced by Global Fusion Music & Arts and stage managed by Serin Ibrahim, the remaining performances take place at Birchmere Park on Saturday 15 June at 5pm and Sunday 16 June at 3pm.