A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream [1] is a comedy by William Shakespeare (1564-1616)[2].

The original text

Written between 1590 and 1596, first produced 1604. The work lost favour during the restoration period (Samuel Pepys described the 1662 revival as "the most insipid and ridiculous play I ever saw in my life") but gained new interest in the 19th century as a way of showcasing elaborate costumes and sets. Since then, A Midsummer Night's Dream has been adapted for opera, ballet, television, and film.

Translations and adaptations

Translations

Translated into Afrikaans as Midsomernagdroom by Eitemal, published by Human & Rousseau in 1974 and produced by ** in 19**.

Roelf Laubscher translated the play into Afrikaans as 'n Somernagdroom (Unpublished, 1975). Produced by SUKOVS, stage management by Mavis Lilenstein, 1975.

Adaptations

Adapted as an opera with music by Benjamin Britten and set to a libretto adapted by the composer and Peter Pears (1960).

Adapted by Johan Anker and Laine Butler to set the play in a South African urban plastic jungle, reflecting both the attitudes and the materials of the 21st century. Performed 2012.

SA Filmed adaptations

A Midsummer Night's Dream (1982)

Filmed as a TV movie[3], produced by Roy Sargeant and directed by Ken Leach with Michael Richard ("Puck"), Richard Haines ("Oberon"), Sandra Duncan, ("Titania"), Paul Slabolepszy, ("Lysander") Sean Taylor ("Demetrius"), Susan Brewer ("Hermia"), Pamela Gien ("Helena"), Marius Weyers ("Bottom"), Graham Armitage ("Peter Quince"), James Borthwick ("Snug"), David Crichton ("Robert Starveling"), Eric Flynn ("Theseus"), Keith Kennedy ("Egeus"), Pierre Knoesen ("Francis Flute"), Lynette Luyt ("Hippolyta"), Ian Steadman ("Shout") and Robert Whitehead.

Released by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) on 28 October, 1982.

Dream World (2012)

This is a contemporary all-black South African TV mini-series[4], made by Fireworx Media. An adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy, it follows four young lovers as they face several comedic challenges on their way to finding true love. Created by Minky Schlesinger, written by Minky Schlesinger and Busisiwe Ntintili, various episodes directed by Mfundo Mkhize, Myrto Makrides, Rea Rangaka, Bridget Pickering and Minky Schlesinger. The series produced by Bridget Pickering, Neil Brandt and Dan Jawitz.

The cast included: Tsholofelo Matshaba, Louise Barnes, Bubu Mazibuko, Pope Jerrod, Lindani Nkosi, Jafta Mamabolo, Lungelo Dhladhla, Momo Matsunyane, Lala Tuku, Oupa Gabaza, Jabulani Makhubo, Litha Booi, Phomolo Mncayi and Nyeleti Ndubani.

Cinematography was by Jonathan de la Querra, editing by Jeremy Briers and Gugu Sibandze.

Released in South Africa by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) on 11 October, 2012

Performance history of the play in South Africa

1800: A copy of the play was offered on sale for £25 in Cape Town in 1800 , but no production followed apparently, despite the hopes of the reporter of the Kaapsche Courant (15 November).

1890s: In one of the early amateur productions in South Africa, Cecil John Rhodes was entertained by Rudyard Kipling and artist Jan Juta's sister Rene Juta, her other sisters and family servants, with the performance of scenes from the play on the slopes of Devil's Peak in the 1890s.

1900: First produced professionally in South Africa by the W.J. Holloway and his company in the early part of the year, inter alia Cape Town (probably in the Opera House there).

June 6, 1938: Staged at St George's Park, Port Elizabeth. This was Taubie Kushlick's first major production. A band known as The Mechanicals performed on a raft in the middle of the pool and the audience were very concerned they would fall into the water. John van Eyssen acted in the role of Puck. Other well-known Port Elizabeth personalities in the show included Iris Hawken, M B Leppan, Myra Pamensky, Mollie Pittaway, Madge Frost, June Salters, Zelia Zartz, Edna Miller, Sheila Weinronk and Helen Mann as elves, P Muff-Ford, E Clear and Lorna Enslin. Lighting was by A Behrens, Cliff Collett played the organ and Sonia Woolff designed the costumes.

1950: Presented by the University Players at the Wits Great Hall, starring Harley Manson (Bottom), Ruth McMenamin (Titania), Val Philip (Helena) and Redvers Kyle (Puck). Music composed by Stanley Glasser.

1952: Presented by the Old Vic Company on its visit to South Africa, produced by English theatrical director Tyrone Guthrie [5] (1900-1971). The cast included Kenneth Griffith (as "Oberon"), .

1957: Maynardville starring, among others, David Crichton.

1964: The Shakespeare quadcentennial production at the Alexander Theatre was directed by Joan Brickhill and Louis Burke, with Joan Brickhill, Louis Burke, Jenny Gratus.

1964: A production by PACOFS, in collaboration with The Bloemfontein Shakespeare Circle, directed by John Boulter, the performance on the first night was in an old railway shed in Tweespruit before moving to Bloemfontein's Civic Theatre. The cast included Ralph Rodgers (Theseus), Hudson Earp (Egeus), Peter Mohr (Lysander), Winston Nathan (Demetrius), Herbert Bishko (Philostrate), George Barnes (Quince), Robert Wallis (Snug), Arthur Hanna (Bottom), Benjamin Janeke (Flute), Harold Goldberg (Starveling), Anna Blömerus (Hippolyta), Heléne Carstens (Hermia), Dinkie Eksteen (Helena), Robin Short (Oberon), Maureen Viljoen (Titania), Michael van Gelder (Puck), Lucy Wiseman (Fairy) and others. Norine van Arkell was the stage manager.

1965: Maynardville starring Johann Nell.

1970s: Performed in the Bloemfontein Civic Theatre during the early 1970s by the Bloemfontein Shakespeare Circle (possibly in association with PACOFS), directed by Marlene Kotzen, with Otto Bohlmann as "Demetrius".

1975: Presented by University Theatre Stellenbosch from 5 to 13 September at the H.B. Thom Theatre, produced by Ria Olivier and Pat Harvey. Costumes and lighting designed by Emile Aucamp, choreography by Gisela Täger-Berger.

1976: Staged by the University of Cape Town Drama Department, first in the Little Theatre and later at the Grahamstown Festival, directed by Robert Mohr, with Clifford Lilley (Theseus & Oberon), Chloë Rothenburg (Hippolita & Titania), Leon Berrange (Egeus & Moth), Melanie Sher (Hermia), Alan Goldstein (Lysander), Alan Swerdlow (Demetrius), Bo Petersen (Helena), Jonathan Rands (Philostrate & Puck), Michele Fine (Peaseblossom), Pippa Dyer (Cobweb), Meryl Hendler (Mustardseed), Alan Leas (Peter Quince), Michael Shevelew (Nick Bottom), Alan Dickinson (Francis Flute), Henry Dom (Tom Snout) and others.

1981: Staged by PACT during the opening season of the Pretoria State Theatre, directed by Robert Mohr with Etienne Puren, Louise Saint Claire, Murray Woodfield, Alan Swerdlow, Annelisa Weiland, Gillian Harris, Ronald Wallace, Michael Richard, Leslie Fong (credited as Lesley Fong), Andre Jacobs, Pamela Gien, Janice Honeyman, Marc Colli, Michael McCabe, Richard Carlsson, James Borthwick, Eric Nobbs, Anthony James and Tobie Cronjé.

1981: Produced at Maynardville, directed by Philip Grout, opening 9 January, starring John Whiteley, Liz Dick, Alan Swerdlow, Neville Thomas, Mary Dreyer, Deon van Zyl, Sean Taylor, Diane Wilson, Roger Dwyer, John Hussey, Russel Savadier, Nigel Daly, Tom Holmes, Peter Voigt. Designer Hugh Durrant, lighting Brian Kennedy, choreographer Veronica Paeper. Original music by British composer Ian Kellam, singing coach David Matheson. Stage manager Mavis Lilenstein.

1984: Directed by David Horner and Sarah Roberts for SODA at the Wits Theatre.

1988-9: An innovative joint production incorporating large puppets, by the Baxter Theatre Centre and the Market Theatre, in association with the Handspring Puppet Company. Presented at the Oude Libertas Theatre, Stellenbosch (first performance 28 January 1988), the Baxter Theatre Centre, Cape Town (first performance 8 February 1988), National Arts Festival, Grahamstown, and the Market Theatre, Johannesburg. Originally directed by Esther van Ryswyk (Oude Libertas, Baxter) and re-directed by Fred Abrahamse (Market) in 1989. With musical direction by Johan Cloete, décor and puppet design by Adrian Kohler, costume design by John Caviggia (Baxter), Ann Sharfman (Market), and choreography of movement by Jennie Reznek. The Baxter Theatre cast consisted of: Neil McCarthy, Fred Abrahamse, Basil Appollis, Clare Stopford, Dawid Minnaar, Sandi Schultz, Jennie Reznek, Antoinette Butler, Martin le Maitre, Ivan Abrahams, Basil Jones, Adrian Kohler, Paul Malherbe, André Samuels. Market Theatre cast consisted of: Neil McCarthy, Fiona Ramsay, John Ramsbottom, Gaynor Young, Robert Finlayson, David Butler, Clare Stopford, Jennie Reznek, David Alcock, Robin Smith, Basil Jones, Adrian Kohler, Fats Dibeko, Solomon Bisholo.

1995: Produced at Maynardville from 6 January to 18 February, directed by British director and playwright Patrick Sandford, starring Sean Taylor, Mary Dreyer, Deirdre Wolhuter, Anthony Bishop, Michelle Scott, Jay Heale, Anthea Thompson, Nicholas Boraine, Nicholas Ashby, Jana van Niekerk, David Alcock, Jonathan Pienaar, Paul Warwick Griffin, Nkosinathi Gqotso, André Samuels, Neels Coetzee, Peter Butler, Karin van der Laag, David Nissen and Eoudia Samson. Music composed by Péter Louis van Dijk.

1997 Shirley Johnston directed the play for the University of Stellenbosch Drama Department in the H.B. Thom Theatre, starring Jerick September, Ilse Oppelt, Francois Toerien, Jenny Stead, Anton Luitingh, Albert Snyman, Hugo Theart, Abduragman Adams and others.

2002: Performed at Maynardville, directed by Fred Abrahamse.

2011: Produced by The Mechanicals in the Intimate Theatre in Cape Town, directed by Guy De Lancey with a cast that included Tinarie van Wyk Loots, Kate Liquorish and Andrew Laubscher.

2011: Performed in the Wynand Mouton Theatre, University of the Free State, directed by Gerben Kamper, with Mattheus Heydenrych as "Oberon".

2012: Produced by Artscape at the Artscape Theatre and the National Arts Festival and from 23 January to 26 February 2013 at the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre, in repertory with Cardenio (12 January to 16 February 2013) This production was the play's sixth staging at Maynardville since the open-air theatre began in 1957. It featured Terence Bridgett, Hannah Borthwick, Sizwe Msutu and Sven Ruygrok among others. Costume and set design by Marcel Meyer. Lighting design by Faheem Bardien.

2019: Performed by students of the National School of the Arts at their Festival of the Arts (6 to 10 March) in a reimagined version of the play, set in a South African urban plastic jungle reflecting both the attitudes and the materials of the 21st century. Adapted and directed by Johan Anker and Laine Butler, with designs by Butler.

2023: Performed at Maynardville from 2 to 23 February, directed by Geoffrey Hyland in a role-reversal adaptation, with Chi Mhende as both both "Oberon" and "Hippolyta", Roberto Kyle as "Theseus", Mark Elderkin as "Nick Bottom" and Sophie Joans as "Puck". (2-23 2023).

Performance history of Britten's opera in South Africa

2005: Presented by Cape Town Opera (14–20 August)

Sources

F.C.L. Bosman. 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [6]: p. 66.

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: p. 408

Trek, 14(5):42, 1950.

The Old Vic Company's South African season 1952 programme.

PACOFS theatre programme, 1964.

University of Cape Town Drama Department theatre programme, 1976.

Teaterwoordeboek, Vaktaalburo, 1977

Jan Juta. 1972. Background in Sunshine: Memories of South Africa. New York: Charles Scribner and Sons: p.52.

PACT theatre programme, 1981.

Newspaper clipping February 26, 1982, either the Eastern Province Herald, Evening Post or the Weekend Post.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7112936/

Ruphin Coudyzer. 2023. Annotated list of his photographs of Market Theatre productions. (Provided by Coudyzer)

Maynardville theatre programmes, 1981 and 1995.

Peter Merrington. 2009. "Loyal Memory: The Tercentenary in Colonial Cape Town". In The Shakespearean International Yearbook Volume 9: Special section, South African Shakespeare in the Twentieth Century. (Guest editor: Laurence Wright) 29-45.

Baxter Theatre programme, 1988.

US Drama Theatre programme, 1997

Petru & Carel Trichardt theatre programme collection.

Cape Times, 17 April 2012.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2723052/

https://nsafestival.co.za/midsummer-nights-dream/

"Cape theatre picks: March 4 2011", Mail & Guardian, 4 March 2011[7]

"South African Mini-Series Reinterprets Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ with All-Black Cast", Atlanta Black Star, October 16, 2012[8]

"Curriculum Vitae of Mattheus Heydenrych", https://apps.ufs.ac.za/dl/staff/0841064/cv.pdf

https://www.capetowngreenmap.co.za/20-green-news/1162-a-midsummer-night-s-dream-revives-maynardville-s-shakespeare-tradition

https://thecaperobyn.co.za/review-a-midsummer-nights-dream-at-2023-maynardville-open-air-theatre-festival-fun-accessible-superbly-staged-and-performed/

Wayne Muller. 2018. A reception history of opera in Cape Town: Tracing the development of a distinctly South African operatic aesthetic (1985–2015). Unpublished PhD thesis.

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