Hull Truck Theatre continues to celebrate its exciting 50th anniversary programme with a production performed by local members of the community. Prepare for a magical experience that will transport audiences to an enchanted forest near Athens for a night of magic and mayhem.
Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of Shakespeare’s most popular and widely performed plays and celebrates the messy business of love. This community production (2-9 July 2022) puts over 40 local people centre stage in a large-scale version with all the high-quality values audiences expect from a Hull Truck Theatre production.
Hull Truck Theatre’s aim has been to encourage people of all ages, from all backgrounds to come together to create a piece of theatre, in doing so discovering new or awakening old interests. The process has also been a chance for people to talk together about where they live, what they want to see and what they need from theatre, to be in a room with other local people with similar interests, providing a social environment to build relationships and inspire an interest in the arts, including the understanding of all areas of a production, the writing, choreography, costume and set design, directing and of course performing.
Directed by HTT’s Associate Director, Tom Saunders (Hull & High Water, TEN, Miracle on the Humber), the cast includes members from Hull Truck’s youth theatre alumni, Act III over 55s theatre makers, and new participants who have joined in one or more of their taster workshops.
The adventure begins when an argument between Oberon and Titania, King, and Queen of the Fairies, fills an enchanted forest with mischief. At the same time, four young lovers face a tangle of unrequited love and for Hermia, the threat of death if she doesn’t marry the man her father has chosen. Determined to be true to their hearts they escape into the woods, right into the hands of the fairies. Bottom the Weaver and his comedy crew of Mechanicals are in the woods to rehearse a play for the upcoming royal wedding. They too are caught up in the tricks of fairy Puck and his mischievous matchmaking. When morning is on the horizon it is a race against time… will they all awaken from this confusion of a dream?
Tom Saunders, Director of the show and Associate Director of Creative Learning, said:
“This city is full of extremely talented people, so I’m delighted to be placing the voices of local people at the heart of Hull Truck Theatre’s 50th anniversary year. Shakespeare’s rich and beautiful language paired with Hull’s vibrant and creative communities will be an absolute treat. This will be an exciting time for local participants who will be performing possibly for the very first time on the main stage at Hull Truck Theatre, making this an accessible opportunity for those who might so far have only ‘dreamed’ of performing in a theatre.
“We are committed to making sure that everyone can enjoy live theatre, whether as an audience member or by taking part. We passionately believe that theatre has the power to unlock creativity, spark joy, build confidence and encourage empathy and understanding of the world around us. Participants often make lasting connections and friendships, as well as having fun.
Sadly, during the rehearsal period, we lost one of these friends, Hugh Newsam. Hugh was a long-standing member of Act III and greatly liked by participants and staff alike. We’re grateful to everything he has contributed to the theatre and the performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Saturday 9th July is in celebration of his memory.”
Tickets for A Midsummer Night’s Dream are on sale now by visiting the website or calling the Box Office on 01482 323638. The full 50th anniversary programme can be viewed at www.hulltruck.co.uk
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Dates: Saturday 2 – Saturday 9 July 2022
Tickets: £21 – £10
Access Performances
Touch Tour: Friday 8July, 6pm
Audio Described: Friday 8 July, 7.30pm
Captioned Performance: Saturday 9 July, 2pm
All performances are relaxed
Post Show Q&A: Thursday 7 July
Recommended age 7+
CAST
Athenian Nobility
Lysander – Dmitri Colville
Hermia – Freya Noman
Demitrius – Fred Weeks
Helena – Erin Findlay
Theseus – Andrew Clarke
Hippolyta – Barbara Dvalin
Egeus – Marion McGowan
The Mechanicals
Petra Quince – Dorothy Madden
Nick Bottom – Brian Hossack
Francis Flute – Bernard Hair
Robin Starveling – Christine Church
Snout – Rosie Palmer
Snug – Gail Pearson
Mechanical – Rob – Robert Spivey
Mechanical – Wendy – Wendy Helm
Mechanical – Sylvia – Sylvia Robinson
Mechanical – Lynda – Lynda Danby
The Fairy Kingdom
Puck – Livie Dalee
Oberon – David Snowden
Titania – Andrea Russell
Peaseblossom – Alexandra Abel
Moth – Sophie Jones
Cobweb – Elizabeth Holt
Mustardseed – Mike Edwards
The Sleep Fairy – Katie Stones
The Fairies
Amanda Green, Amy Blench, Barbara
Dvalin, Barbara Foyston, Barbara Osbourne,
Christopher Hopkin, Dashiell Jackson, Debora
Louise Bowman, Denise Gibson, James Mark
Mayman, Jayden Platten, Joe Dixon, Judith
Ann Blair, Julie Smith, Katie Elizabeth Stones,
Louise Harman, Luke James Gillingham,
Rachael Kerr, Thomas Foster, Toni (Antonia)
Amanda Day, Tracey Garton
CREATIVE TEAM
Director – Tom Saunders
Movement Directors – Tamar & Jo
Set & Costume Designer – Emily Bestow
Lighting Designer – Jessie Addinall
Sound Designer – Tom Smith
Composer – Joe Roper
Fight Director – Alison de Burg
Box office information:
Hull Truck Theatre, 50 Ferensway, Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU2 8LB
01482 323638