A Midsummer Night's Dream

Benjamin Britten

12 October - 20 November 2024

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Step into the magic

Shakespeare’s riotous comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is brought to operatic life. Mischievous schemes and magic potions set off a chain of hysterical events and love triangles. As the consequences unfurl, the stories of fairies, mortals and amateur actors will intertwine, but after all is said and done, will there be a loved-up happy ending?

This mind-bending production relocates the fun and frolics to the 1960s, so expect sequins and paisley suits, giant plastic balloons and the ‘sexy-yet-sinister magic’ (The Guardian) of Benjamin Britten’s music.

“Gorgeously sung… performed with uproarious comic gusto”
★★★★ — The Telegraph

“Groovy… gales of audience laughter”
★★★★ — The Times

“One of the best and funniest things Opera North has ever done”
★★★★ — The Arts Desk

Price

From £16*

Running time
Approximately 3 hours 10 minutes including two intervals

Language
Sung in English with English subtitles

Buy your programme in advance
Digital (£4) or printed (£6+£2.50 postage)

Find the best tickets for you
Multibuy packages
£20 new to opera tickets
£10 for under 30s and children
Free for 16-20s in Leeds
Group and schools discounts

*Prices vary by venue. Booking fees may apply.

Story

Oberon, King of the Fairies, is arguing with his queen Tytania over a young changeling boy. So Oberon sends Puck to find a magical flower whose juice, sprinkled on Tytania’s eyelids, will cause her to fall in love with the first creature she sees.  

Meanwhile, lovers Lysander and Hermia have eloped to the forest. They are running away from Demetrius, who is in love with Hermia, and who in turn is loved by Helena! Oberon has witnessed their troubles and orders Puck to use the magic juice on Demetrius too, so that he will fall in love with Helena. 

Six craftsmen arrive in the forest to discuss a play they hope to perform at the wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta. They argue over casting, but finally Bottom and Flute agree to play the title roles, Pyramus and Thisbe.  

Lysander and Hermia go to sleep. Puck mistakes Lysander for Demetrius and sprinkles the juice of the magic flower on Lysander’s eyes. Demetrius arrives with Helena soon after. Helena sees Lysander and wakes him. Under the spell, Lysander is smitten with her. She runs off, believing he is mocking her, and Hermia awakes alone.  

Nearby, the fairies prepare Tytania for sleep. Oberon slips in to sprinkle the magic juice on her eyes… 

Later in the day, the craftsmen meet to rehearse their play. Puck decides to entertain himself by turning Bottom’s head into that of a donkey. The others run away in fear and left alone, Bottom sings to keep his spirits up. This wakes Tytania, who, under the spell, falls instantly in love with the donkey-headed Bottom!  

Oberon is delighted with this result, but soon realises that Puck has made a mistake with the lovers. When Demetrius falls asleep, Oberon sprinkles the magic juice on his eyes. Helena and Lysander arrive, waking Demetrius, who immediately falls in love with Helena — now loved by both men, and Hermia by neither. Furious, Oberon gives Puck an antidote to give to Lysander.  

Before sunrise, Oberon releases Tytania from the spell. The four lovers wake up, now as the correct couples. Bottom wakes from what he thinks was a strange dream. When the other craftsmen find him, they tell him that their play has been chosen for Theseus and Hippolyta’s wedding.  

At the wedding, the two couples ask Theseus’ for forgiveness. Theseus pardons them, promising that they can be married together with him and Hippolyta. The craftsmen perform their masterpiece, ‘Pyramus and Thisbe’. As everyone goes to bed, Oberon, Tytania, and the fairies bless the sleeping household, and Puck gets the final word. 

Access

Audio Flyer

Audio Introduction

This audio introduction gives detailed information about the story, the sets and costumes.

It is to aid customers who are blind or partially sighted. Please note, the story and the details of the sets and costumes contain spoilers, so avoid them if you would prefer not to know what happens!

large print transcript of the audio introduction is available to download.

Cast & creative

A man with short hair wearing a shirt.
James Laing

Oberon

A woman with long, dark hair.
Daisy Brown

Tytania

A man with dark hair and stubble.
Daniel Abelson

Puck

A woman with should length wavy hair.
Camilla Harris

Helena

A woman wearing earrings looking up.
Siân Griffiths

Hermia

A man with curly hair,
Peter Kirk

Lysander

A man with combed back hair and a beard.
James Newby

Demetrius

A man with a beard wearing a shirt.
Henry Waddington

Bottom

Nicholas Watts has a short beard and is wearing a dark suit.
Nicholas Watts

Flute

Dean Robinson

Quince

A man wearing a shirt with short hair.
Colin Judson

Snout

Nicholas Butterfield

Starveling

A man with a shirt beard and slicked back hair in a shirt.
Frazer Scott

Snug

A man with curly ginger hair and a beard.
Andri Björn Róbertsson

Theseus

Molly Barker

Hippolyta

Image of conductor Garry Walker
Garry Walker

Conductor

A man with short hair and a black shirt.
Martin Duncan

Director

Matthew Eberhardt

Revival Director

A man with thick wavy hair.
Johan Engels

Set Designer

A man with short dark hair.
Ashley Martin-Davis

Costume Designer

A bald man wearing a chequered shirt.
Bruno Poet

Lighting Designer

A man with a jumper and moustache.
Ben Wright

Choreographer

A Midsummer Night's Dream
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