Starting Apr. 3 and running through the Apr. l2, Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre is performing their production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Directed by Jeremy Thompson and with a massive cast that includes UAF’s own Dr. Eric Heyne of the English department, the show is bound to be a great opportunity for Fairbanks to watch Shakesperean theatre. As Thompson said, part of Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre’s aim is to “help kids and the community understand that Shakespeare isn’t a foreign language.” The plays of Shakespeare were meant to be seen, not read, and the opportunity to see one of his most popular plays in production should not be passed up.
Following several intertwining plots of love in and near Athens, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” gives some hilarious situations that can be appreciated by audiences of any age. Taking place in the vastly different but ironically similar worlds of Athens and the forest nearby, the play is, according to Thompson “written to be very funny, but also action-packed.”
Thompson, along with the cast and crew of the show, bring some creative but non-obtrusive changes to the play. Craig Brooks (a recent UAF theatre graduate) plays Oberon, the king of the fairies who had some interesting costume changes. He had originally thought of Oberon as reminiscent of David Bowie in “Labyrinth,” and that eventually became a reality. “It’s one of the most elaborate costumes I’ve been able to wear for a production,” Brooks chuckled, “so that’s always fun.” The effect is quite comical, and really shows the creative control that a good director and costume designer can have. Also, Oberon’s fairies take on the look of Peter Pan’s lost boys, with their grungy, woodland attire.
Thompson is a recent addition to the Fairbanks community. He originally came to Fairbanks last summer and worked on the production of “Antony and Cleopatra” and “fell in love with Fairbanks and stayed on with the company as educational director.” The Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre plays a large hand in the community with theatre education for children ages 11-18. The company also does outreach programs in the schools to get kids started on Shakespeare and theatre. During the summers, they do a 5-week educational program.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be showing at the Empress Theatre downtown on 3rd Avenue, starting on Apr. 3 and end on the 20. It will be performed Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Anyone under the age of 18 gains entrance free of charge, UAF students get a discounted ticket for $15 and adults can purchase tickets for $18. If you find yourself in need of some classic comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a guaranteed good time for audiences of any age.