A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Passions unleashed cause much wooing and confusion in the magical woods of Athens. Whether real or induced by magical potions seems to make little difference, showing that love is far from rational, though those afflicted might feel otherwise. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a delightful comedy that offers something for everyone. The intertwined love constellations include Hermia and Lysander, who having decided to elope, steal away into the forest. Demetrius, Hermia’s father’s choice for son-in-law, and Helena, herself burning in love for Demetrius, join them. Once in the forest, magical potions, Puck, a mischievous hobgoblin, and a row between the king and queen of Fairyland insure that nothing goes as planned, and the boundaries between reality and imagination merge. Shakespeare’s brilliant and humorous story is a multifaceted exploration of the workings of love.