5 July 2008 at Woburn Abbey

Gates open from 5.30pm, performance begins at 7.00pm

The second offering by Chapterhouse this season, this is one of the best loved Shakespearean plays and almost too perfect for a midsummer evening in the glorious setting of Woburn Abbey’s gardens.

About the play

Theseus (the Duke of Athens) announces he will marry Hippolyta, the queen of the Amazons. He hears Egeus' complaint that his daughter Hermia refuses to marry his chosen suitor, Demetrius, since she's in love with Lysander, who Egeus dislikes. Theseus declares Hermia must marry Demetrius, or choose between death and joining a nunnery. Lysander instructs Hermia to flee to the forest with him. ….Meanwhile, Quince, Bottom, Flute, Starveling, Snug, and Snout organize a play to be performed at Theseus' wedding.

Elsewhere in the forest, Oberon (the King of the Fairies) argues with Titania (the Fairy Queen) that he should have her orphan child as his page. Titania objects, asserting she is queen. To obtain the boy, Oberon orders the fairy Puck (aka Robin Goodfellow) to obtain a flower from Cupid that causes anyone to love the first person a person sees. Oberon plans to give it to Titania, so she'll love a vile thing and give him the child. There follow beautifully crafted mistakes and confusions, complications and misunderstandings, allowing the wonderful complexity of the play to develop.

For more information please visit www.chapterhouse.org

General information

• The running time is approx 2 hours plus a 15 to 20 minute interval.
  
  
• Performances are open-air and will continue in all but the worst weather
  
  
• Seating is on rugs and low back chairs brought by the public, picnics are welcome, light refreshments will be available.
  
  
• No photography during the performance.
  
  
• No dogs except guide or hearing dogs please.