About Heartsleeve Creatives

Synopsis

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a whimsical romantic comedy that intertwines the lives of four young lovers, a group of amateur actors, and a realm of mischievous fairies. Set in Athens and a magical forest, the play begins with Duke Theseus preparing to marry Hippolyta. Meanwhile, Hermia defies her father’s wish to marry Demetrius, choosing instead to elope with Lysander. Helena, Hermia’s friend, is in love with Demetrius, who scorns her.

The lovers flee into the forest, where the fairy king Oberon and queen Titania are feuding. Oberon instructs his servant Puck to find a magical flower that can manipulate emotions. Puck mistakenly enchants Lysander instead of Demetrius, causing chaos as both men fall for Helena. Titania is also enchanted to fall in love with Bottom, a weaver whose head Puck transforms into that of a donkey.

As confusion reigns, Oberon corrects the enchantments, restoring order. The lovers are properly paired - Hermia with Lysander, Helena with Demetrius - and return to Athens for a triple wedding alongside Theseus and Hippolyta. The amateur actors perform a hilariously clumsy play, “Pyramus and Thisbe,” to celebrate.

The History….and our take on it

William Shakespeare likely wrote A Midsummer Night’s Dream between 1595 and 1596, during the Elizabethan era. It was first published in 1600 in a quarto edition and later included in the First Folio of 1623. The play is notable for its imaginative blend of mythology, folklore, and classical literature, and is considered one of Shakespeare’s most original works - not based on any known source material.

It was probably written to celebrate a noble wedding, possibly that of Elizabeth Vere and William Stanley, which would explain its festive tone and themes of love and marriage. The play’s structure - interweaving multiple plots involving lovers, fairies, and amateur actors - was innovative for its time and showcased Shakespeare’s growing mastery of dramatic form.

The setting in a magical forest and the use of fairies reflect the Elizabethan fascination with the supernatural. Characters like Oberon, Titania, and Puck draw from English folklore, while the play-within-a-play (“Pyramus and Thisbe”) parodies classical tragedy and highlights Shakespeare’s comedic skill.

Over the centuries, A Midsummer Night’s Dream has remained one of Shakespeare’s most popular and frequently performed plays. It has inspired countless adaptations in theatre, ballet, opera, film, and literature, and is celebrated for its lyrical language, humour, and exploration of love’s irrational nature.

LYSANDER - St John Barter-Waters

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ROBIN STARVELING / COBWEB - Julia Duke

HELENA - Jess Harding

HERMIA - Laura Hopkins

PETER QUINCE - Colin Noble

TOM SNOUT / PEASEBLOSSOM - Annabelle Pappas

SNUG / MUSTARDSEED - Cassie Quinlan

DEMETRIUS - Aidan Salmon

PUCK - Arianna Walley

TITANIA / HIPPOLYTA - Jenn Walter

FRANCIS FLUTE / MOTH - Liam Walter

EGEUS - Nick Walter

NICK BOTTOM - Kathryn White

Kathryn has been creating theatre for over two decades as a performer, director and designer. She has directed productions of Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sense and Sensibility, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Her choreography credits span a wide range of musical theatre classics such as Anything Goes, Crazy for You, Sweet Charity, and Children of Eden. As a designer, Kathryn has crafted costumes for productions of Clue: The Musical, Honk!, Assassins, and Hot Mikado, and has brought imaginative set designs to life in Honk!, Macbeth, Jesus Christ Superstar and Sense and Sensibility. On stage, Kathryn has performed in roles across a diverse repertoire, including Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, Oliver!, The Witches of Eastwick, Beauty and the Beast, and Hello, Dolly!.

OBERON / THESEUS - Sean Williams

Creatives

Director - Nick Walter

Music & Sound Design - Jenn Walter

Costume & Set Design - Kathryn White

Script Adaptation - Nick Walter & Kathryn White

Stage Manager? Floor Manager?

Assistants -

Rehearsal Photography -

Acknowledgements

Heartsleeve Creatives would like to acknowledge the wonderful support of Maroondah City Council, particularly Mattie Young, other names

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We would also like to thank the following individuals and organisations:

CPP Community Theatre Inc.

Rowville Secondary College

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