I suspect that more than any other Shakespeare production, set design for a Midsummer Night's Dream has ranged the widest, from the sublime to the bizarre. One sublime photo from 1936 gives us this:
This set (above) was the genius of Paul Shelving in 1936. Shelving (1888-1968) was a prolific artist, and designed for forty years for the Birmingham Repertory Theater and for the Shakespeare Theater in Stratford-upon-Avon. The aspect of set design and costumes is so important with this particular production because Shakespeare’s whimsical cunning is at full force. The world he embraces us in is magical and filled with a deep sense of intrigue and mythology. For obvious reasons, visuals are an extremely important component in telling this story, and in making the ever-important connection with the audience, who ideally will also be embracing this magical world.
The range of visual interpretations and styling of MSND is quite broad.
I must admit that I am a huge fan of fashion and interior settings, and this has propelled my excitement for this subject. I am actually looking forward to working with the costumes. I was thrilled when I first saw the stage model design by Tim Stapleton, and seeing it come to life has been truly exciting. As I put aside anxiety, thereby leaving room for creative input and the joy of working in this insane profession, I find myself truly excited to share our creation with all of you.
Now, I cannot divulge to you here any of the details of the set which will encompass your experience in seeing our play. But, here is a secret: You can find every detail of it... by clicking on the button below and getting your tickets! And by all means, tell them I sent you!