A Midsummer Night’s Dream In Regent’s Park

Now that Wimbledon is over (sniff sniff), Londoners are reluctantly forced to drag themselves away from watching BBC Sports on the tv at home- or at the pub. But since it is still raining most nights, what will we do with ourselves? Rather than reading Shakespeare at home on your Kindle, why not put on your wellies and an over-sized raincoat, after all it is July, and treat yourself to an evening at the theatre with a killer gourmet picnic and a bottle of champers in tow!

In case you aren't already in the know, a very modern adaptation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream is now playing at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. This is a pretty amazing outdoor theatre definitely worth checking out if you haven't already visited.

Rather than the traditional Athenian robes and metallic sandals, the cast of Matthew Dunster’s production are dressed in chains and tracksuits with Essex accents, hoop earrings, and black eyes. Before you think, sounds ghastly, let me assure you, this production is brilliant and an absolute must-see! The set starts out as a trailer park with scattered empty beer cans and bmx bikes before seamlessly transforming into a magical dream-like fairy land...

 ...filled with seduction, magic potions, forbidden love, and tantalizing mystical looking creatures of the night!

The interval allows the audience to stop gazing at Hermia's ripped fishnets or Titania's fairy queen dreadlocks, and to enjoy a cold drink and a quick bite in the wonderful garden surrounding the Open Air Theatre. I would definitely recommend being really English and bringing your own lavish picnic. Pâté and bubbly anyone?

By the end of the production, the entire theatre is beautifully lit by small fairy lights, so you really feel like you are also in your own midsummer night's dream - in London. I enjoyed this modern day adaptation so much, I honestly wouldn't mind seeing it several times!

So, what are you waiting for? Embrace your inner Shakespearean side and go see A Midsummer Night's Dream while it is still running at the Open Air Theatre until 5th September. If you thought Shakespeare was rather boring studying English Literature in school then think again!