If, like me, you find it annoying to read a great review, start making plans, only to discover that all the tickets have been sold – read on…
I am writing this without (as yet) having seen the production, but all the elements are present for an excellent evening’s entertainment. However, if you prefer to wait until the review, feel free to come back and read my thoughts, but if that means that you can’t the get a ticket, don’t blame me.
Could there be a more perfect setting of Midsummer Night’s Dream, the latest offering at Holland Park Opera?
This summer, sensational historical performance ensemble Figure return with a fresh staging of Shakespeare’s classic comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Unbridled desire meets magic as Figure stages Shakespeare’s celebrated play, accompanied by Mendelssohn’s enchanting orchestral score.
Figure’s performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream will feature Mendelssohn’s famous incidental music. Mendelssohn wrote the extended ‘Overture’, followed by numbers such as the ‘Wedding March’.
Reuniting the play with this glorious music, Figure’s musicians will be playing instruments modelled on those from Mendelssohn’s time, including the rarely heard ophicleide.
As Midsummer’s Eve approaches, four young lovers and a troupe of am-dram artisans venture deep into the woods, but little do they know about the amorous antics about to ensue … In the enchanted forest, fairies rule and mischief- maker Puck is on hand to ensure the course of true love is anything but smooth. With trickery, havoc, and chaos afoot, it isn’t long until love triangles, mistaken identities and magical transformations begin to unfold.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A play by William Shakespeare with orchestral, vocal, and choral music by Felix Mendelssohn. Dates Thursday 29th June – Saturday 1st July 2023 Running time
2 hours, 45 mins (including interval)
Location Opera Holland Park Theatre, Ilchester Place, London W8 6LU
Tickets are priced £20 – £100 and can be purchased at https://operahollandpark.com/productions/a-midsummer-nights-dream/