A Midsummer Night's Dream

Last year, our company Strange Fascination Theatre, embarked on our first open air production. We chose Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' as it is very accessible to those perhaps unfamiliar with the scope of Shakespeare, as well as having some of the best known characters.

We performed with a five strong cast, each of us doubling or tripling up, whilst I directed. Now, I have heard it said that an actor cannot direct himself, least of all in something as complex as a Shakespeare, but I beg to differ.

SFT is a collaborative effort, we help each other. Whilst we all had different experiences of the play, our collective knowledge of it allowed for some terrific work from all. I directed in the conventional sense (an edited version that focused on the main two stories) whilst for the sections I was in, we would film the action, other actors would stand out and view what was happening. Our ethos is very much improv based anyway, so, with the lines secure, we would play about, find gags, detail action and discover threads of drama, all to then be tidied up in notes. Besides, we are self funded and we could not afford an actor to replace me at the time.

It worked well but I do maintain that it's success was due to it being a smaller cast, a cast that had worked with each other a lot before. For our larger productions, I do direct solely, and this year is no exception.

Our larger version of last year's Dream will be happening at venues right across Norfolk, from Wymondham to Burnham Market. It will feature a larger cast and new set design by Daisy, 
new actors are joining us as well as our established repertory of performers.

I do hope you can make it, it all kicks off in late May, so keep a look out on our face book page (Strange Fascination Theatre) and Twitter: @StrangeFas

#believethedream