Audiences are set to be spellbound as Moree Arts Community Theatre (MACT) presents its latest production, William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
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The mystical world of fairies, kings, queens and the supernatural will be recreated in the beautiful outdoor garden setting of Moree Town and Country Club.
With fairy lights and greenery to be borrowed from the Fork and Spade, the atmosphere will be magical.
Director Tim Barklay said the outdoor setting was chosen to enhance the audience experience.
“The play is set mostly in the forest; there’s lots of great moments with fairies and all that stuff so we thought early on it’d work really well outside,” he said. “It’s a beautiful space to immerse the audience in the world; it’s a great fantasy play and I think it’s important the audience are fully immersed in it.”
Although this is the first show Barklay has directed in Moree, the local teacher is no stranger to the stage, having directed many school productions, performed in MACT’s Red Barn last year and has toured with the North West drama ensemble and UNE theatre.
Barklay is also very familiar with A Midsummer Night’s Dream having been in two productions of the play, often described as one of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies.
“It basically follows three stories – the King and Queen of the fairies, the four youths who run off to find love with each other and the bumbling group of actors who want to put on a play. The three stories intertwine and come together in the end,” he said.
The cast of 22 has been rehearsing for the past three months.
“We’ve got a very eclectic mix of actors,” Barklay said.
“For some this is their first time on stage and others are seasoned veterans. It’s very much an ensemble piece.”
Opening night of the five-show season is Friday, March 17, followed by performances on March 18, 19, 24 and 25.
Friday and Saturday shows will begin at 7pm, while the Sunday matinee is at 2pm.
Cost for the Friday and Sunday shows is $25 for adults and $10 for students.
The two Saturday shows are $55 which will include a picnic dinner at 5.30pm, catered by the Town and Country Club who will also be making a special show cocktail for the occasion.
“It’ll be really nice, people can come along and enjoy the gardens and a great show,” Barklay said.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased from www.123tix.com.au.