A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare North Playhouse

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
A Midsummer Night's Dream at Shakespeare North Playhouse
Image courtesy of Patch Dolan.

A Midsummer Night's Dream at Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot 22 September — 22 October 2022 Tickets from £3.00 — Book now

Join Not Too Tame for a riotous brand new staging of Shakespeare’s best-known comedy. Directed by Matthew Dunster and Jimmy Fairhurst, A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be the first Shakespearean-inspired production to be presented in the Cockpit Theatre at Shakespeare North Playhouse.

A refreshingly anarchic and raucous take on The Bard’s classic.

The production is the result of an exciting new collaboration between proud Northern companies, Not Too Tame, Northern Stage and Shakespeare North Playhouse. Expect a refreshingly anarchic and raucous take on The Bard’s classic. Chaotic rides through the forest at night, wild weddings and madcap cases of mistaken identity feature in this version of the well-loved comedy.

A Midsummer Night's Dream at Shakespeare North Playhouse
Image courtesy of Patch Dolan.

Two powerful feuding fairies are threatening to destroy the world after a fallout over a little boy. Meanwhile, in another world, four youngsters embark on a wild drug-induced adventure. And it is when these different worlds collide, that the party really begins – not everything is as rosy and dreamlike as it first appears…

Featuring the voice of BAFTA nominated actor David Morrissey as Oberon, and Mercury-nominated singer-songwriter Nadine Shah in her theatre debut as Titania, the talented cast includes a diverse mix of emerging and experienced performers. Most pleasingly, this unique production integrates the use of British Sign Language throughout too.

This unique production integrates the use of British Sign Language throughout too.

Promising “a show that’s to be experienced, not just watched”, Jimmy Fairhurst of multi-award-winning theatre company Not Too Tame told us, “Most people have seen a version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream but this is a refresh of the real bones, the warts and all of the play. It really speaks to me as a working-class person – a full-tilt, full-on night out. We want to see how dark we can go, like Nick Cave dark – imagine a music festival at Banksy’s Dismaland bemusement park – and still maintain all the playfulness and celebration, that sense of fun, excitement and entertainment.”

Explode the boundaries of traditional theatre etiquette to create a high-octane performance.

Recommended for ages 14+, this is A Midsummer Night’s Dream for everybody and especially for those who think that Shakespeare isn’t for them. Always putting their audience at the heart of each show, Not Too Tame strive to explode the boundaries of traditional theatre etiquette to create a high-octane performance and a “great night out”. We wouldn’t wait too long to get your tickets.

A Midsummer Night's Dream at Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot 22 September — 22 October 2022 Tickets from £3.00 Book now

Where to go near A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare North Playhouse

Family 1
Liverpool
Park
Knowsley Safari Park

Have a wild adventure at the Knowsley Safari Park, and get up close to lions, rhinos, camels and more from the comfort of your car.

Knowsley
Tourist Attraction
Knowsley Hall

Situated on a private walled estate, Knowsley Hall has been in The Earl of Derby’s family for over 600 years and is usually reserved exclusively for private events and filming.

Alexandra Park, St. Helens

The 1960’s, grade II listed Alexandra Park is the former home of Pilkingtons Glass Head Quarters in St. Helens. 

St. Helens
Dream
at St Helens

Dream is a 20 metre high sculpture located on the former site of Sutton Manor Colliery in St Helens, designed by world-renowned and award-winning artist, Jaume Plensa.

library
Shop
The Reader, Calderstones Park

The Reader brings people together through a shared love of literature and their home is in the beautiful Calderstones Park in Liverpool.

family 3
Liverpool
Imagine That

Imagine That is a children’s play centre in Liverpool, with art, science and imagination zones to encourage creative fun and free play.

What's on: Theatre

Culture Guides

Poet Vik Shirley
Literature Events in the North

Some of our favourite leftfield live literature regulars are back with their first events of the year – we’ve picked a weird and wonderful heap we think you’ll love.

NEXT: A Primer on Urban Painting production still
Cinema in the North

Street art, LGBTQ+ History Month, and the first film festivals of the year are amongst our cinema highlights this month.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Feminist farce, a magical circus show and Oldham Coliseum return with a brand-new off-site show. All in our latest theatre guide.

FKA TWIGS
Music in the North

Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in our latest live music round up.

The Super Duper Family Festival
Family things to do in the North

We might be past the holiday season, but Manchester and the North's arts and cultural calendar is still packed with brilliant events and activities for families

A painting of a young child being bathed in a sink of a 197s style kitchen. Around the sink are a rubber duck, a bottle of  washing up liquid, a jug, a kettle and a mug.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries are racing to announce new exhibitions so check out our top picks, from art films and nostalgic paintings to Hockney's collages.