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Prepare for 10 nights of open-air dreaming

From the Echo, first published Monday 28th Jun 2004.

TOP open-air theatre company Heartbreak Productions brings a ten night run of Shakespeare's comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream to Meyrick Park in Bournemouth in July.

The production, which will open on Tuesday July 13 and run until Sunday July 26, is part of tour that is taking the play to town and city parks all over Britain.

Performing for nearly two weeks, it will give thousands the opportunity to enjoy summer picnics before the evening's entertainment.

There will also be children's workshops run by the theatre company.

"We really are very excited by this project:" says artistic director Peter Mimmack.

"We usually play one or two nights at a venue before moving on, so establishing ourselves in such a fantastic place will be a great joy. We're also looking forward to the half-day workshops: the children will get to experience dance, movement, fight techniques, masks and make-up."

The production toured throughout the country last year receiving both critical and popular acclaim.

"For hundreds of years, A Midsummer Night's Dream has been held in great affection by audiences both young and old - its dark mystical qualities set against bawdy, rustic humour give it universal appeal," explains Peter.

In a bold departure from the standard fare, Heartbreak is plunging this production into the 21st Century - no quaint, rustic yokels here.

In place is a band of up-to-date traders with not a doublet and hose nor an Elizabethan bodice in sight!

This is the company's fifteenth open-air production following the successes of, amongst others, A Midsummer Night's Dream directed by Louise Jameson, Much Ado About Nothing under the baton of James Bolam, The Tempest and The Merchant of Venice directed by Barry Stanton. However, it is the first time they have based their productions in one venue for such an extended time and the company are hoping that it paves the way for this open-air Shakespeare festival to become an annual event.

For tickets call the box office: Bournemouth International Centre 0870 111 3000