A touring production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, will visit Stirling Castle and Caerlaverock Castle this July. Historic Environment Scotland, which manages the sites, are inviting visitors to enjoy some theatre in the outdoor surroundings of some of Scotland’s most iconic castles.
Hermia loves Lysander and Helena loves Demetrius – but Demetrius is supposed to be marrying Hermia… When the Duke of Athens tries to enforce the marriage, the lovers take refuge in the woods and wander into the midst of a dispute between the king and queen of the fairies.
The production by Chapterhouse Theatre Company combines beautifully designed Elizabethan costumes, a wonderful musical score, and enchanting woodland creatures to create an evening of unmissable summer garden theatre. Visitors are encouraged to pack a picnic and enjoy this creative interpretation of a classic comedy in magical surroundings.
Kit Reid, Senior Interpretation Manager at Historic Environment Scotland, said, “Outdoor theatre is always a great way for visitors to enjoy our sites, and we look forward to welcoming these productions each summer. It’s particularly nice to have A Midsummer Night’s Dream this year, not just to mark the Shakespeare 400 celebrations, but because his work would have been familiar to some of the residents who lived and worked in these castles.”
Richard Main, Artistic Director for Chapterhouse Theatre Company, added, “Chapterhouse have been touring the UK and Europe for more than fifteen years, performing to audiences in all sorts of fantastic historic venues, but there’s always something special about Shakespeare. There’s no better place to perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a tale of fairies and forests, than in a historic garden or ruinous medieval castle. The setting really connects the cast and audience with the past of the play, and natural surroundings of flowers and trees help to bring the story to life.”
Performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream will take place at Stirling Castle on Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th July, and at Caerlaverock Castle on 29th July. Doors open at 6.45pm, performance starts at 7.30pm.
The performance at Stirling Castle on the 27th will have British Sign Language interpretation.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at £14 for adults, £12 for concessions and £10 for children (aged 5-15 years old). Family tickets, admitting two adults and two children, are available and are priced at £42.
A 10% discount is available for members. Tickets purchased online are subject to a small additional booking fee.
About Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
- As of the 1st October 2015, Historic Scotland and RCAHMS came together to form a new lead public body charged with caring for, protecting and promoting the historic environment. The new body Historic Environment Scotland (HES) will lead on delivering Scotland’s first strategy for the historic environment, Our Place in Time.
- Historic Scotland is a sub brand of HES.
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Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016
2016 is the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design (IAD). Through a series of exciting events and activity, the year will showcase Scotland's position as an "innovation nation", its outstanding built heritage, and its thriving, internationally acclaimed creative industries sector. This is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland and supported by a variety of partners.
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For further information
Alan Bannon
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
Direct Line: 0131 668 8588
Mobile: 07854 366 805
communications@hes.scot