Wirral theatre company goes Hand in Hand with Royal Shakespeare Company for modern sequel to A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Feb 8 2012 Birkenhead News

TICKETS will go on sale next week for a Wirral theatre company’s modern sequel to A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Hand in Hand Theatre is performing After the Dream in the borough this summer as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Open Stages project.

Participating groups have been asked to stage a William Shakespeare-themed production throughout 2012.

Hand in Hand is the only Wirral theatre company taking part in the project this year.

Its production picks up the story of Helena and Demetrius 20 years after their marriage at the end of A Midsummer Night’s Dream – and looks at what might happen if Demetrius was no longer under the spell which made him fall in love with his bride.

Performances will take place at the Floral Pavilion, Birkenhead Park, Royden Park and Ness Gardens.

Writer and director Bev Clark said: “This project is really exciting; every performance will be a different experience as each venue has its own unique setting. “We hope it will appeal to both lovers of Shakespeare and those who may never have seen a Shakespearean production as most of it is in modern language.”

The soundtrack is being designed by Andy Taylor, who worked with Hand in Hand on its award-winning 2009 play Remembrance Day.

Bev said: “We also have a newly-commissioned song by singer-songwriter Mark

Dawson who is one of the cast.

“We are very grateful to all our partners who are supporting us in this venture.”

Your Wirral, social landlord Riverside and Wirral area forums are helping to fund some of the performances in open-air venues.

It is hoped representatives of the RSC and the Contact Theatre in Manchester will attend one of the performances and Hand in Hand could be chosen to perform in a regional showcase in Manchester or at Stratford.

Volunteers are also being recruited to help backstage, front of house and as stewards and publicity assistants.

E-mail hihtheatre@ gmail.com for details.

l After the Dream performances are at:

TUESDAY, JUNE 19: Floral Pavilion Theatre (Winter Gardens),New Brighton, 7pm

SUNDAY, JUNE 24: Birkenhead Park, 6.30pm.

SATURDAY, JUNE 30: Royden Park, Frankby (Coach House), 6.30pm

SUNDAY, JULY 1: Melrose all, Hoylake (part of the Wirral Festival of Firsts)

THURSDAY, JUNE 21/FRIDAY, JUNE 22: Ness Gardens, 7pm.

Tickets for all performances except Ness Gardens will be available from the Floral Pavilion box office on 666 0000 or at www.floralpavilion.com

For the Ness Gardens show, call 353 0123.

Tickets available now.