Comic Shakespeare at Hatherop Castle (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Comic Shakespeare at Hatherop Castle

FOR their 14th annual summer production the Cotswold Arcadians have chosen one of Shakespeare's lightest and most enjoyable comedies.

This is in contrast with last year's heavily tragic King Lear, an impressive production that achieved the distinction of an appreciation in Amateur Stage.

A Midsummer Night's Dream is ideally suited to the Arcadians' venue, Hatherop Castle near Fairford, whose imposing early 19th century facade forms a striking backdrop for a part of the production.

The artistic director, David Sherratt, has decided to make use of the castle's extensive grounds, and the central section of the play, which is set in the wood near Athens, will have the sylvan background appropriate to the setting.

Accordingly, the production will be part promenade - the castle site becoming Athens, and the woodland the domain of Oberon, Titania, Robin Goodfellow and their spirits.

The audience moves from the crowd setting at the castle to welcome the Duke Theseus, to the sedate covered stands for the main part of the play, returning to Athens for the grand finale, crowned by 'the play within the play', Pyramus and Thisby performed by the crude mechanicals.

David Sherratt, who has directed plays in Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, and was for many years festival director of Pendley Shakespeare Festival, has cast several veterans in the company - last year's Lear plays Nick Bottom - as well as 10 year-olds as spirits.

The lovers in Shakespeare's time would have been boys, and were certainly young. The four lovers in this production are all under 20. Thus they have the vigour and energy to make their roles fizz and sparkle.

David said: "They should make for delightful ensemble playing in our production. The Dream has given directors carte blanche to indulge directorial fancies, whimsies and eccentricities.

"This time our eccentricity will be that our approach is traditional in costume and style, but - I hope - there will be elements that will add charm and give our audiences a sense of visual and auditory delight in what must be one of the most appropriate settings in the Cotswolds."

The Dream is being performed at Hatherop Castle from Monday, July 18 to Saturday, July 23 inclusive. Hatherop is about 8 miles east of Cirencester, 2 miles due north of Fairford and just 10 minutes north west of Lechlade.

Performances begin at 8pm, and the castle grounds are available for picnics from 6pm. A refreshment tent is also available.

Tickets from the box office on 01285 711714 or email: boxoffice@arcadians.org