A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Study Day
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Discover more about the mischievous world of Shakespeare’s fairies and delve deeper into our 2023 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with this interactive Study Day.
Spend an afternoon with expert academics and researchers and explore the themes and characters of the play through a series of talks and discussions. You’ll learn more about the historical and cultural context in which it was written and understand how one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies has been brought to life on stage.
You’ll end the day with a Q&A with members of the acting company of our 2023 production, giving you the chance to ask questions and gain further insight into this summer’s show.
This study day can be enjoyed on its own but is also a perfect introduction to our production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. End your day of Shakespeare exploration with a ticket to the evening performance following the study day. Tickets for the performance are not included in the study day ticket price and must be purchased separately.
DETAILS
TICKETS
£100
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This event is on-site.
Running time is approximately 6 hours, including breaks
Terms and conditions
A £2.50 transaction fee per order applies online and over the telephone.
Photography: Johan Persson
Art Direction: Irene Omodeo Zorini
Plan your visit
Find out how to get here, where to stay and read our FAQs.
Everything you need to know about our access offering, including a full list of upcoming access performances.
SCHEDULE
12.00pm – Welcome
12.15 – 1.15pm – Session 1: ‘Dreaming in the Dark: The meaning of night in Elizabethan England’ with Dr Gwilym Jones, University of Westminster
Dr Jones will explore how early playing companies staged night, the differences between night and darkness, and what both night and dark connoted to the original audience of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
1.15pm – 2.15pm – Break for lunch
2.15pm – 3.15pm – Session 2: ‘Dramaturgical Intervention and A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ with Dr Nora Williams, University of Essex
Dr Williams will examine A Midsummer Night’s Dream through the lens of dramaturgy—that is, the study and practice of the structures of plays.
3.30pm – 4.30pm – Session 3: ‘Indian Dreams’ with Dr Varsha Panjwani, NYU London
Dr Panjwani will discuss the representation of India in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and what this tells us about India-British relations in Shakespeare’s time as well as our own.
4.30pm – 5.00pm – Tea break
5.00pm – 6.00pm – Q&A with members of A Midsummer Night’s Dream acting company
SPEAKERS
Introducing the speakers for this Study Day
