British Touring Shakespeare and Soulton Hall are partnering to present Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Hall’s historic Epidaurus Court this summer. This is a rare opportunity to see Shakespeare performed in an authentic 16th-century setting, as the Epidaurus Court, designed for theatrical performances in the C16th and be revived from a performance slumber since 1783 for the occasion.
The choice of A Midsummer Night’s Dream resonates with Soulton Hall’s history.
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Bitish Touring Shakespeare performing at Soulton Hall
Old Sir Rowland Hill, who shaped Soulton Hall with a vision inspired by classical Eleusis, near Athens, echoed that influence in the Hall’s design. Intriguingly, both the Ancient Telesterion of Greece and Soulton’s Renaissance complex share the same dimensions: 55 yards square. Shakespeare, sharing this fascination, alludes to a location near Athens associated with ancient mysteries in the play (Act 1, Scene 1). The play’s themes of love, magic, and nature find a fitting backdrop in Soulton Hall’s Tudor grounds.
‘Merry Wives of Windsor’ – performed at Soulton Hall
Adding to the significance, A Midsummer Night’s Dream culminates in a dance of eight characters, reminiscent of a similar dance in As You Like It, a play strongly linked to Soulton through Thomas Lodge Jr., whose Rosalynde was Shakespeare’s source. Further connections lie in Old Sir Rowland Hill’s cousinhood with Shakespeare’s mother and the presence of Soulton’s historic dancing pavement.
Old Sir Rowland Hill is believed to be the inspiration for Old Sir Rowland in As You Like It.
Two Gentlemen of Verona Performed at Soulton Hall
The performance will highlight the play’s four central couples – Theseus and Hippolyta, Lysander and Hermia, Demetrius and Helena, and Oberon and Titania – celebrating their unions in a final dance that mirrors the themes of reconciliation and order found in As You Like It. This promises to be an immersive and memorable theatrical event, blending history, literature, and performance within Soulton Hall’s captivating setting.
- Date: Saturday 2 Aug 2025
- Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Location: Epidaurus Court, Soulton Hall
Click here for tickets.
Company
Paul Winterford – Theseus/Oberon
Kate Andrews – Hippolyta/Titania
SP Howarth – Puck
Andrew Hobbs – Egeus/Bottom
Tom Thornhill – Lysander/Snout/Cobweb
Carys Clempner – Hermia/Starveling/Moth
Maximilian L’Olive – Demetrius/Flute/Mustardseed
Alice Gold – Helena/Snug/Peaseblosom
Alistair Smith – Quince/Philostrate/Apollo
Bottom from Mid Summer Nights Dream – British Touring Shakespeare
