Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-7.jpg" alt="Actors in A Midsummer Night's Dream" class="wp-image-72261" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-7.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-7-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-7-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-7-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-7-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image Credit: Ellie Kurttz</figcaption></figure>



Going to the theatre on the hottest day of the year felt like a gamble. I was either about to spend 80 minutes slowly melting in my seat or discover Stratford-upon-Avon&#8217;s best air-conditioned hideaway. Thankfully, on Press Night at the RSC&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/your-visit/the-other-place" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Other Place Theatre</a>, it was very much the latter.



After a tactical pre-show glass of wine and a blissful blast of cool air, I settled into a packed auditorium. Despite being co-produced with children&#8217;s theatre specialists <a href="https://www.unicorntheatre.com/whats-on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Unicorn Theatre</a>, this wasn&#8217;t a sea of restless youngsters. Instead, families, Shakespeare lovers and theatre regulars filled the room, all ready to escape both the heat and reality for one of the Bard&#8217;s most mischievous comedies.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-4.jpg" alt="Actors in A Midsummer Night's Dream" class="wp-image-72264" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-4.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-4-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-4-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: (c) Helen Murray</figcaption></figure>



If your memories of&nbsp;A Midsummer Night&#8217;s Dream&nbsp;are a little hazy (GCSE English was a while ago, after all), here&#8217;s the gist. Hermia loves Lysander, but her father insists she marry Demetrius, who, inconveniently, is adored by Helena. Cue an escape to the woods, where the mischievous Puck starts liberally applying magical love potion with all the precision of someone who&#8217;s definitely skipped the instructions.



Meanwhile, a wonderfully hopeless troupe of amateur actors rehearses a play for the Duke&#8217;s wedding, fairy monarchs Oberon and Titania are busy falling out, Bottom sprouts donkey ears, and everyone seems to fall in love with the wrong person. It&#8217;s joyful, chaotic nonsense – exactly as Shakespeare intended.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-3.jpg" alt="Actors in A Midsummer Night's Dream" class="wp-image-72265" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-3-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image Credit: Ellie Kurttz</figcaption></figure>



The Mechanicals steal more than a few scenes. Led by Bottom (Emmy Stonelake), alongside Quince (Scout Worsley), Flute (Shahin Rezvani), Starveling (Boni Adeliyi) and Snug (Kaireece Denton), their earnest attempts at amateur dramatics had the audience roaring with laughter. Quince, in particular, is delightfully awkward in the most endearing way, while Stonelake&#8217;s comic timing is superb throughout.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-8.jpg" alt="Actors in A Midsummer Night's Dream" class="wp-image-72260" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-8.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-8-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-8-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-8-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-8-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image Credit: Ellie Kurttz</figcaption></figure>



Co-directors Rachel Bagshaw and Robin Belfield wisely prioritise storytelling over spectacle, making this one of the most accessible Shakespeare productions I&#8217;ve seen. Clever projections introduce characters, flowers bloom across the stage when the love potion appears, and key snippets of dialogue are projected onto the set, gently helping younger audiences navigate Shakespeare&#8217;s language without ever feeling like they&#8217;re sitting through a lesson.



It clearly works. Walking out afterwards, I overheard one mum congratulating her child for reading along with the script – proof the production had quietly worked its educational magic. The result is fast-paced, energetic and remarkably easy to follow. The poetry still lands, but there&#8217;s very little opportunity for minds (or eyes) to wander. If you&#8217;ve got a child who normally starts wriggling after 20 minutes, this production gives them precious little chance.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-2.jpg" alt="Actors in A Midsummer Night's Dream" class="wp-image-72266" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-2-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image Credit: Ellie Kurttz</figcaption></figure>



The intimate setting at The Other Place turns out to be one of the production&#8217;s greatest strengths. The cast regularly break the fourth wall, chatting to children in the audience and drawing them into the action. Watching little faces light up whenever an actor acknowledged them was worth the ticket price alone.



The staging itself is more understated than enchanted woodland spectacular. A simple timber backdrop, sliding walls and two suspended tyre swings do most of the heavy lifting. Yet the minimalism never feels lacking. Instead, it leaves plenty of room for the audience&#8217;s imagination, while the tyre swings inject exactly the right amount of childlike playfulness. The costumes strike the same balance – colourful enough to delight younger viewers without veering into pantomime territory.



And if you&#8217;re wondering whether this is secretly a musical, fear not. Aside from a little incidental sound, the songs are left firmly in the fairy realm. Personally, I wasn&#8217;t complaining.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-5.jpg" alt="Actors in A Midsummer Night's Dream" class="wp-image-72263" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-5.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-5-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-5-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-5-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: (c) Helen Murray</figcaption></figure>



Parents can also breathe easy on the PG front. There&#8217;s the odd cheeky wink aimed squarely at the adults, but this is very much family-friendly Shakespeare. There isn&#8217;t even a proper kiss, which may have the Bard turning in his grave but will certainly reassure anyone bringing younger children.



Condensing one of Shakespeare&#8217;s busiest plays into just 80 minutes inevitably means trimming a few characters, but remarkably little is lost. The story never feels rushed or fragmented, with Puck remaining the gleeful puppet master orchestrating everyone&#8217;s increasingly ridiculous romantic disasters.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-6.jpg" alt="Actors in A Midsummer Night's Dream" class="wp-image-72262" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-6.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-6-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/06/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream-6-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image credit: (c) Helen Murray</figcaption></figure>



The biggest laughs of the night belonged to Emmy Stonelake, brilliantly doubling as both the stern Egeus and the gloriously ridiculous Bottom. Between the wandering moustache, donkey ears and wonderfully elastic facial expressions, children and adults alike were wiping away tears of laughter.



Does it tug at the heartstrings? Not especially. But that&#8217;s rather the point. This is&nbsp;A Midsummer Night&#8217;s Dream&nbsp;distilled into an energetic, funny and hugely accessible family show that never outstays its welcome. Charming, clever and fizzing with invention, it&#8217;s the perfect introduction to Shakespeare for children — and a joyful reminder for adults that one of his funniest plays still has plenty of magic left.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



GOOD FOR: Families with kids aged 6-12 yrs, particularly first-time Shakespeare-goers or fidgeters who&#8217;ll appreciate the brisk 80-minute running time.



NOT FOR: Theatre-goers expecting a lavish, effects-heavy production or a deeper exploration of Shakespeare&#8217;s themes. This is all about pace, clarity and fun.



THE DAMAGE: From £10 (top prices running up to £25). 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/a-midsummer-nights-dream/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Midsummer Night&#8217;s Dream</a> is playing at the RSC&#8217;s The Other Place Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Sun 30 Aug.</li>
</ul>



<a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/your-visit/the-other-place" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Other Place Theatre</a>, 22 Southern Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6BH.



WORDS: JAZZY TYAGI



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people-life/my-cultural-kicks-scout-worsley-actress-at-the-rsc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">My Cultural Kicks: Scout Worsley, actress at the RSC</a></li>



<li><a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/outdoor-swimming-spots-west-midlands/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Too hot to handle? Beat the heat with an ice cold dip at an outdoor swimming spot</a></li>



<li><a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/5-reasons-the-royal-shakespeare-company-is-stratfords-ultimate-summer-hotspot/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5 reasons the Royal Shakespeare Company is Stratford’s ultimate summer hotspot</a></li>
</ul>

Review: RSC’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, The Other Place Theatre

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