A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Step into candlelit winter woods and discover the shadowy underbelly of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream

To escape a society ruled by tyrannical law, four young lovers flee to the forest beyond the city walls.

Unbeknownst to them, the world of the woods has been unsettled by a fierce battle between the Fairy King and Queen, Oberon and Titania, over the ownership of a stolen child.

Snow starts to fall in summer as the dispute rages on, and more people fall victim to the jealousy-fuelled forces of the powerful pair, and the disturbing spells of Oberon’s unruly lackey Puck. As day turns to night, and reality becomes illusion, can anyone stop the Dream from becoming a nightmare?

Following 2022’s ‘extraordinary’ ★★★★ (The Observer) co-production of Henry V, Shakespeare’s Globe collaborates once again with ‘hugely influential’ (Time Out) touring theatre company Headlong to shine candlelight on the shadowy underbelly of one of Shakespeare’s most-loved plays. Headlong’s Artistic Director Holly Race Roughan directs, with co-direction from Naeem Hayat (The Comedy of Errors, 2023/24).

This production is suitable for ages 12+. It contains loud noises, strong language, scenes of sexual content, drug use and gunshots.

About the Director

Directed by Headlong’s Artistic Director, Holly Race Roughan, this striking new staging will continue Headlong’s lens of staging all plays like they are new plays, no matter their age or place in the public conscience, asking audiences to look at the stories they think they know afresh.

Holly Race Roughan said: “The world of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a turbulent one, the natural environment is upside down and unpredictable, and the political and social landscape is on edge, creating a sense of tension that we are all experiencing today.

“This new staging will explore some of the darker elements of Shakespeare’s well-known comedy, turning it on its head and asking us to reexamine its themes and subject matter.

“Following a highly successful collaboration on Henry V, it is a joy to be partnering once again with Shakespeare’s Globe and our committed national partners to allow audiences to meet this play in the moment we are in”.

We are delighted to announce this production is generously supported by Charles Holloway OBE or This production is generously supported by Charles Holloway OBE.