PRODUCTION A Midsummer Night's Dream
Data Type：publicity
Title：Soochow University English Department to Produce A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Source：Department of English Language and Literature, Soochow University [Dongwu daxue yingwen xuexi]
Date：2004/5
Language：English
Abstract：The official press release introduces the play as a "Latin fantasy" with live music, shimmering colors, and a mystic setting.
As one of the highlights of its 50th Anniversary festivities, the seniors will perform a Latin fantasy production of Shakespeare’s most famous and popular comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Preparations started in their junior year when their director, Don Gilleland, started to evaluate the potential and interest of the students and discovered that he had rare group of highly talented and motivated students who deserved to reveal their gifts through the timeless charm of AMSND. A lively, colorful, and festive Latin setting of music, costumes, setting, lighting, and characterization was chosen to compliment the beauty of Shakespeare’s language. While the script has been shorted, the language has not been simplified. At first the actors were fearful that the audience would not understand the story. However, when they explored and discovered movement that not only holds the audience attention but tells the story with style and passion, they had a great time in rehearsal which will spill out into the audience.
Part of the zest of this adaptation will be playing the fairies as gypsies to whom dance comes as easily as speech and the players as an experimental postmodern theatre company who cram every imaginable form of theatre and film into the play within a play.
The intimate stage allows the audience to immerse themselves in a world of the shimmering costumes and ethereal lighting in a mystic setting of delicate bamboo forests, ornamental foliage, and vibrant wildflowers. The award winning designer, Kid , considers his work a miniature gem. The costumes designed by Dharma, use cloth chosen for their rich textures and luminous magic under lights. Music will be provided by an Latin ensemble of clarinet, electric piano, congas, bongos, and other percussion razzle dazzle by Piazzolla, Ferrer, and Bernstein.
The Senior Class of 2004 intend the evenings of May 6, 7, and 8th to be the high point of their life at Soochow and make the English Department truly proud to call them graduates.
Part of the zest of this adaptation will be playing the fairies as gypsies to whom dance comes as easily as speech and the players as an experimental postmodern theatre company who cram every imaginable form of theatre and film into the play within a play.
The intimate stage allows the audience to immerse themselves in a world of the shimmering costumes and ethereal lighting in a mystic setting of delicate bamboo forests, ornamental foliage, and vibrant wildflowers. The award winning designer, Kid , considers his work a miniature gem. The costumes designed by Dharma, use cloth chosen for their rich textures and luminous magic under lights. Music will be provided by an Latin ensemble of clarinet, electric piano, congas, bongos, and other percussion razzle dazzle by Piazzolla, Ferrer, and Bernstein.
The Senior Class of 2004 intend the evenings of May 6, 7, and 8th to be the high point of their life at Soochow and make the English Department truly proud to call them graduates.
