A midsummer delight

Shakespeare’s magical tale of mismatched lovers and mistaken identities has been brought alive in a central Dublin park.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is being performed by students and graduates of the Gaiety School of Acting twice a day in St Stephen’s Green.

The fourth annual Shakespeare in the Park event has been attracting hundreds of tourists, office workers and children keen to see one of the playwright’s most popular comedies.

The Yeats Memorial is transformed into a mini-amphitheatre at 1pm and 5pm daily for a vibrant 90-minute performance with a modern twist.

Director Kristian Marken said the play was put into an unorthodox context to present a clear idea of the levels of authority involved.

“The characters are dressed as doctors, nurses, patients wrapped in bandages and even a cleaner so audiences understand the hierarchy,” he said.

“It is always a fantastic opportunity to introduce people to classical texts, to outdoor theatre and to Shakespeare.

“It’s great to see people stumbling upon the performance and really enjoying it, especially those who may only associate Shakespeare with stuffy theatres or parents who could not otherwise afford to take their children to see a play.”

The 11-strong cast of fairies and lovers on the run will be performing in the park until September 2, weather permitting. Up to 7,000 people are expected to enjoy the spectacle, which is free of charge.