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Registered charity no. 212481 © RSC

RSC Dream Team 2016 Playmaking Festival

Information Pack

The Other Place

YBontFaenPrimary

AMidsummerNight’sDream

June2018

2018

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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes ActI,sceneI

EnterTHESEUS,HIPPOLYTA,DEMETRIUS,HELENA,LYSANDER,PHILOSTRATE,COURTIERS,MECHANICALSandPUCK.(actorsreachstagepositionsandfreeze)

LX-SX-track1Puckweavesamongsta‘frozen’assemble.MusiccutsonPuck’sclap

THESEUS Comenow,whatrevelsareinhand?Istherenoplaytoeasetheanguishofatorturinghour?CallPhilostrate.

LX-

PHILOSTRATE (bows)Here,mightyTheseus.

THESEUS Say,whatabridgementhaveyouforthisevening?

PHILOSTRATE (reluctantlyhandsoverascroll)Thereisabrief.

THESEUS “Atedious,briefsceneofyoungPyramusandhisloveThisbe;verytragicalmirth”“Merry”and“tragical”?“Tedious”and“brief”?

PHILOSTRATE Aplaythereis,mylord,sometenwordslong.WhichisabriefasIhaveknownaplay.Andbytenwords,myLord,itistoolong,whichmakesittedious.

THESEUS Whataretheythatdotheplay?

PHILOSTRATE (indicatestowardsMechanicals,theyelaboratelywaveback)Hard-handedmenthatworkinAthenshere.

THESEUS Wewillhearit. PHILOSTRATE No,mynobleLord,

Itisnotforyou.Ihavehearditover…

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THESEUS (interrupting)Iwillhearthatplay!(actorsfreeze)

FX–Track2(thunderclapafterTheseusspeaks)

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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes ActI,sceneII

EnterNARRATORS(actorsstillfrozen)

LX-Warmwash

NARRATOR1 (running,holdinguphands)Whoa…notjustyet!Ourplaybeginssomefourdayspast.

NARRATOR2 Then,thesethreecouplesweren’tyetmarriedandtheseworkmenhadyettouttertheirplay.

NARRATOR1 InancientAthenswherewelaythisscene,Theseusruleshereandheissoontomarryhisbeautifulbride-Hippolyta.

NARRATOR2 Buthowthesetwocouples(indicateHermiaandLysanderandHelenaandDemetrius)cometobemarriedisourplay.

Charactersdisperse,leavingTHESEUSandHIPPOLYTAwhobeginmoving

NARRATOR1 Fourdaysago,asTheseusandHippolytalookedforwardtotheirhappyday,theymetEgeus,Hermia’sfather.Andhewasfullofvexation.

NARRATOR2 Athenianlawdecreesthatafathersetsdownwhichmanhisdaughtermarries.Ifshedarerefusesshehastwochoices-deathortobecomeanun.

EnterEGEUSandHERMIAhisdaughter,LYSANDERandDEMETRIUS

THESEUS GoodEgeus:what’sthenewswiththee?

EGEUS FullofvexationamI,withcomplaintagainstmychild,mydaughterHermia.StandforthDemetrius.

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(DEMETRIUSstandsforwardandbows)MynobleLord,thismanhathconsenttomarryher.StandforthLysander;(LYSANDERstandsforward)and,mygraciousDuke,thismanhathbewitchedthebosomofmychild.Withcunninghastthoufilchedmydaughter’sheart.Turnedherobedience,whichisduetome,tostubbornharshness.

THESEUS WhatsayyouHermia?Beadvisedfairmaid:Demetriusisaworthygentleman.

HERMIA SoisLysander.

THESEUS Inhimselfheis.Butinthiskind,wantingyourfather’svoice.Theothermustbeheldworthier

HERMIA Iwouldmyfatherlook’dbutwithmyeyes.

THESEUS Ratheryoureyesmustwithhisjudgementlook.

DEMETRIUS Lysander,yieldthycrazedtitletomycertainright.

LYSANDER Iam,myLord,aswellderivedashe;Myloveismorethanhis,andIambelov’dofbeauteousHermia.DemetriusmadelovetoHelenaAndshedotesonhim.

THESEUS ImustconfessIhaveheardsomuch.Taketimetopause,fairHermia–Untilthenextnewmoon,Thesealingdaybetwixtmyloveandme.Demetrius,Egeuscome.Youshallgowithme.

ExitallexceptLYSANDERandHermia.

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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes

ActI,sceneIII

LYSANDER (Hermiasinkstoherknees)Ayme!Thecourseoftrueloveneverdidrunsmooth.(LysandersinkstoHermia’slevelandinformsherofhisplan)

LX-centrespotlightforHermiaandLysander

NARRATOR1 ButLysander,hashatchedaplan.HehatharichAuntwholivessometwentymilesawaywherethestrictlawofAthensdothnotapply.

NARRATOR2 IfHermiacansneakoutofherhousetomorrownightandmeetLysanderinthewoodstheycanescapeandmarrywithoutherfather’sconsent.But,nosoonerthattheyhavereachedanagreement;Helenaturnsup.

EnterHELENA

LX-

HERMIA Godspeed,fairHelena!

HELENA Callyoumefair?Demetriuslovesyoufair.OteachmehowyoulookandwithwhatartYouswaythemotionofDemetrius’heart!

HERMIA Ifrownuponhim,yethelovesmestill.

HELENA Othatyourfrownswouldteachmysmilessuchskill!

HERMIA Igivehimcurses,yethegivesmelove.

HELENA O,thatprayerscouldsuchaffectionmove!

HERMIA ThemoreIhate,themorehefollowsme.

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HELENA ThemoreIlove,themorehehatethme.

HERMIA Hisfolly,Helena,isnofaultofmine.

HELENA

None,butyourbeauty:wouldfaultweremine.

HERMIA Takecomfort:henomoreshallseemyface;Lysanderandmyselfwillflythisplace.

LYSANDER Atatimethatlovers’flightsdothstillconceal.ThroughAthens’gateswehavedevisedtosteal.

HERMIA Andinthewood,thedawnofourretreat,TheremyLysanderandmyselfshallmeet.

LYSANDER Wewill,myHermia.ExitHERMIAHelena,adieu.Asyouonhim,Demetriusdotesonyou.ExitLYSANDER

HELENA I’lltellDemetriusofHermia’sflight.Thentothewoodwillhetomorrownightpursueher.AndforthisintelligenceifIhavethanks,itisadearexpense.Exit

LX-centrespotlightonHelenaLightsfadeoutasHelenaexits

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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes

ActII,sceneI

EnterQUINCE,SNUG,BOTTOM,FLUTE,SNOUTandSTARVELING.

LX-Greenwash

QUINCE Isallourcompanyhere?(producingascroll)

BOTTOM Youwerebesttocallthemgenerally,manbyman,accordingtothescript.

QUINCE Hereisthescrollofeveryman’sname,whichisthoughtfitthroughallAthenstoplayinourinterludebeforetheDukeandDuchessonhisweddingdayatnight.

BOTTOM First,goodPeterQuince,saywhattheplaytreatson,thenreadthenamesoftheactors.

QUINCE Marry,ourplayis‘Themostlamentablecomedy,andmostcrueldeathofPyramusandThisbe’.

BOTTOM Averygoodpieceofwork,Iassureyou,andamerry.Now,goodPeterQuince,callforthyouractorsbythescroll.(elaboratelygestures)Masters,spreadyourself.

QUINCE AnswerasIcallyou.NickBottom,theweaver.

BOTTOM Ready.NamewhatpartIamfor,andproceed.

QUINCE You,NickBottom,aresetdownforPyramus.

BOTTOM WhatisPyramus?Alover,oratyrant?

QUINCE Alover,thatkillshimselfmostgallantforlove.

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BOTTOM Thatwillasksometearsinthetrueperformingofit.Nownametherestoftheplayers.

QUINCE FrancisFlute,thebellows-mender.

FLUTE Here,PeterQuince.

QUINCE YoumusttakeThisbeonyou.

FLUTE WhatisThisbe?(snatchingstickfromSTRAVELING)Awanderingknight?

QUINCE ItistheladythatPyramusmustlove.

FLUTE Nay,faith,letmenotplayawoman:Ihaveabeardcoming.

QUINCE That’sallone.Youshallplayitinamask,andyoumayspeakassmallasyouwill.

BOTTOM AnImayhidemyface,(pushingforward)letmeplayThisbetoo,I’llspeakinamonstrouslittlevoice‘Thisne,Thisne!’‘AhPyramus,loverdear!ThyThisbedear,andLadydear!’

QUINCE No,no;youmustplayPryamus–And,Flute,youThisbe.

BOTTOM Well,proceed.

QUINCE RobinStraveling,thetailor.

STRAVELING Here,PeterQuince.

QUINCE RobinStraveling,youmustplayThisbe’smother.TomSnout,thetinker.

SNOUT Here,PeterQuince.

QUINCE You,Pyramus’father:myself,Thisbe’sfather:Snugthejoiner?

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SNUG Haveyouthelion’spartwritten?Prayyou,ifitbe,giveitme,forIamslowofstudy.

QUINCE Youmaydoitextempore,foritisnothingbutroaring.

BOTTOM Letmeplay,theliontoo:(pushingforwardagain)Iwillroar,thatIwilldoanyman’sheartgoodtohearme;Iwillroar,thatIwillmaketheDukesay‘lethimroaragain,lethimroaragain’.

QUINCE YoucanplaynopartbutPyramus;forPyramusisasweet-facedman,asoneshallseeinasummer’sday;amostlovelygentleman-likeman:thereforeyoumustneedsplayPyramus.

BOTTOM Well,Iwillundertakeit.WhatbeardwereIbesttoplayitin?

QUINCE Why,whatyouwill.But,master,hereareyourparts:(handingoutscrolls)andIentreatyou,requestyouanddesireyou,toconthembyto-morrownight;andmeetinthepalacewood,amilewithoutthetown,bymoonlight.Therewewillrehearse.Iprayyou,failmenot.

BOTTOM Wewillmeet;andtherewemayrehearsemostobscenelyandcourageously.Takepains;beperfect.Adieu!Exeunt

Lightsfadeoutasactorsexit

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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes

ActII,sceneII

EnterFAIRYNARRATORS,OBERON,PUCK,TITANIAandherFAIRIES.(fairiesmovingcautiouslyhighandlow,checkingwhethertheyarealone)

LX-GreenwashSX–

NARRATOR1 Thewoodisbecomingamostpopulardestination.But,unknowntotheloverswhoplantomeetthereortheartisanshopingtorehearsethere,thewoodisalreadytheplaygroundofanothergroupofcreaturesofthenight–fairies.

NARRATOR2 ButOberon,theKingoftheFairies,isangrywithproudQueen,Titania.Theybothwantthesamechangelingchildtobetheirpageboy.

OBERON (standingwiththeirfairiesoppositeeachother)Illmetbymoonlight,proudTitania.

TITANIA What,jealousOberon?

OBERON WhyshouldTitaniacrossherOberon?Idobutbegalittlechangelingboybemyhenchman.

TITANIA Setyouheartatrest.Iwillnotpartwithhim.

OBERON Givemethatboy.

TITANIA Notforthyfairykingdom.Fairies,away!ExitTITANIAandherFAIRIES

NARRATOR2 Oberondoesnotliketobeout-witted,sohecallsforRobinGoodfellow,amischievousspritealsonamedPuck.Heordershimtofetchamagicalflower.PUCKexits

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NARRATOR1 Whenthejuiceofthismagicalfloweris

squeezedontoTitania’ssleepingeyelids,shewillfallethinlovewithwhatevercreatureshefirstgazesupon.

NARRATOR2 Andenamouredbyhernewlove,Oberonintendstoconvincehisfairyqueentohandoverthechangelingboy.Buthismalignthoughtsaresooninterruptedbyapproachingvoices.Oberondecidestomakehimselfinvisible.

DEMETRIUS Ilovetheenot,thereforepursuemenot.ItellyouIdonot,norIcannot,loveyou?

HELENA AndevenforthatdoIloveyouthemore.

DEMETRIUS IamsickwhenIdolookonthee.ExitDEMETRIUS

HELENA AndIamsickwhenIlooknotonyou.Youdomemischief.FieDemetrius!Wecannotfightforlove,asmenmaydo:Weshouldbewooedandwerenotmadetowoo.I’llfollowtheeandmakeaheavenofhell,todieuponthehandIlovesowell.ExitHELENA

OBERON Faretheewell,nymph.Erehedoleavethisgrove,thoushaltflyhimandheshallseekthylove.EnterPUCK

NARRATOR1 PuckreturnswiththemagicalflowerandOberondothtakesometosqueezeontotheFairyQueen’seyelids.

NARRATOR2 Butwhathehastjustwitnessedgiveshimabetteridea.OberonnowintendstousethemagicalnectartomakeDemetriusloveHelena.

OBERON (givingsomeoftheflowertoPuck)Takethousomeofitandseekthrough

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thisgrove.AsweetAthenianladyisinlovewithadisdainfulyouth.Anointhiseyes.Butdoitwhenthenextthingheespiesmaybethelady.

PUCK Fearnot,myLord,yourservantshalldoso.Theyexit,separately

TITANIA EnterTITANIAwithherFAIRIESCome,singmenowasleep.Thentoyourofficesandletmerest.(thefairiessong)

FAIRY Hence,away!Nowalliswell:Onealoofstandsentinel.ExitFAIRIES(exceptforalonefairywhosleepsalongsideTitania)

Titaniaandherfairysleepupstage,farright

OBERON (enterOBERONwhosqueezestheflowerjuiceontoTITANIA’Seyelids)Whatthouseestwhenthoudostwake,Doitfortheytruelovetake.Loveandlanguishforhissake:Beitounceorcatorbear,Pard,orboarwithbristledhair,Inthyeyethatshallappear,Whenthouwakest,itistheydear.Wakewhensomevilethingisnear.ExitOBERON

SX-Track4LightsfadeasOberonexits

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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes

ActII,sceneIII

EnterATHENIANNARRATORS,LYSANDERandHERMIA

LX-Warmwash

NARRATOR1 Titaniaisn’ttheonlyonewhoistired.LysanderhaslosthiswayandheandHermiaareexhausted.Sotheydecidetosleepuntilmorning.Nottogether,ofcourse,butseparately.(LYSANDERandHERMIApreparetosleepinthewoods)

LYSANDER Buttospeaktroth,Ihaveforgotourway.Let’starryforthecomfortoftheday.Oneturfshallserveasapillowforusboth.Oneheart,onebed,twobosoms,andonetroth.

HERMIA NaygoodLysander.Formysake,mydearliefurtheroffyet.Donotliesonear.(LYSANDERhesitates)

LYSANDER Pleasebyoursidenobedroommedeny.For,lyingso,Hermia,Idonotlie.

HERMIA But,gentlefriend,forlovecourtesyliefurtheroffinhumanmodesty.(LYSANDERmovesaway)

LYSANDER Hereismybed.Sleepgivetheeallhisrest!

HERMIA Withhalfthatwishthewisher’seyesbepressed.

NARRATOR2

PuckcomesinsearchofDemetriussothathecanusethemagicalflowertomakehimfallinlovewithHelena.However,hemistakesLysanderforDemetriusandheisalreadyinlovewithHermia.EnterPUCK,searchingforDemetrius

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PUCK (PUCKseesLYSANDER)Thisishe,mymastersaid.DespisedtheAthenianmaid.(PUCKindicatesHERMIA.ThenPUCKsqueezestheflowerjuiceonLYSANDER’seyelids)Churl,uponthyeyesIthrowAllthepowerthischarmdothowe.ExitPUCKEnterDEMETRIUSandHELENA

SX-Track5(asPucksqueezesthejuiceonLysander’seyelids)

HELENA Stay!

DEMETRIUS Donothauntmethus!ExitDEMETRIUS

HELENA Butwhoishere?(noticingLYSANDER,butnotHERMIA)Lysanderontheground!Deadorasleep?Iseenoblood,nowound.Lysander,ifyoulive,goodsir,awake!

LYSANDER (wakingandfallinginstantlyinlovewithHELENA)AndrunthroughfireIwillforthysweetsake!NotHermia,butHelenaIlove:Whowillnotchangearavenforadove.

HELENA Goodtroth,youdomewrong,goodsoothe,youdo,insuchdisdainfulmannermetowoo.Fareyouwell.ExitHELENA

LYSANDER SheseesnotHermia.Hermia,sleepthouthere;AndnevermaystthiscomeLysandernear!And,allmypowers,addressyourloveandmighttohonourHelen,andbeherknight.ExitLYSANDER

HERMIA (HERMIAwakesfromanightmare)Helpme,Lysander,helpme!(shenoticesLYSANDERhasgone)What,outofhearing?Gone?Nosound,noword?No?ThenIwellperceiveyouarenotnigh.Eitherdeath

LightsfadeasHermiaexits

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oryouI’llfindimmediately.ExitHERMIA

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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes ActII,sceneIV

EnterATHENIANNARRATORS,

LX-Greenwash

NARRATOR1 Puckbelieveshehascompletedhismaster’swishes.ButitisLysander,notDemetrius,whonowlovesHelena.

NARRATOR2 LookTitaniastillslumbersandlisten…theworkmenmenarearrivingtorehearsetheirplay.EnterQUINCE,SNUG,BOTTOM,FLUTE,SNOUTandSTARVELING

BOTTOM Arewewellmet?

QUINCE Pat,pat;andhere’samarvellousconvenientplaceforourrehearsal.Comesitdown,everymother’sson,andrehearseyourparts.EnterPUCK,movingaroundunseenbytheactorsastheyarrangethemselves.

NARRATOR2 Astheworkersarrangethemselves,Puckarrives.Hesoonfindsachancetomakemischief.(PUCKfindsaseatintheaudiencetowatcheventsunfold)

QUINCE Pyramus,youbegin;whenyouhavespokenyourspeech,enterintothatbrake:andsoeveryoneaccordingtocue.Speak,Pyramus.–Thisbe,standforth.

BOTTOM (asPryamus)Thisbe,theflowersofodioussavourssweet.

QUINCE

‘Odours,odours!’

BOTTOM Odourssavourssweet.Sohaththeybreath,mydearestThisbedear.Buthark,avoice!Staythouhereawhile,andbyandbyIwilltotheeappear.

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(BOTTOMpretendshehasheardsomethingandgoesoffinsearch.PUCKleavestheaudiencetofollowhim)

FLUTE MustIspeaknow?

QUINCE Ay,marry,mustyou;foryoumustunderstandhegoesbuttoseeanoisethatheheard,andistocomeagain.

FLUTE (asThisbe)MostradiantPyramus,redroseontriumphantbriar.Astruesthorse,thatyetwouldnevertire.I’llmeetthee,Pyramus,atNinny’stomb.

QUINCE “Ninus’stomb,”man!Youspeakallyourpartatonce,cuesandall.Pyramus!Yourcueis“nevertire.”

FLUTE O,…astruesthorse,thatyetwouldnevertire.Re-enterBOTTOMwearinganass’sheadPUCKfollows

BOTTOM IfIwerefair,Thisbe,Iwereonlythine.

QUINCE Omonstrous!Ostrange!Wearehaunted.Pray,masters!Fly,masters!Help!ExitQUINCE,SNUG,SNOUT,FLUTEandSTRAVELING

BOTTOM Whydotheyrunaway?

QUINCE Re-enterQUINCEBlesstheeBottom,blessthee!Thouaretranslated!ExitQUINCE

BOTTOM Iseethereknavery:thisistomakeanassofme,tofrightme,iftheycould;butIwillnotstirfromthisplace,dowhattheycan:IwillwalkupanddownhereandIwillsing,thattheyshallhear

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Iamnotafraid.(singinganddancingwithPUCKfollowingBOTTOM’smoves)Theouselcock,soblackofhue,Withorange-tawnybill.(TITANIAwakesandseesBOTTOMwithhisass’shead)

TITANIA (lookingbackandforthtoaudienceandBOTTOM)Whatangelwakesmefrommyflowerybed?

BOTTOM (stillsinging.PUCKhidesnotwantingtobeseen)Thethrostlewithhisnotesotrue,Thewrenwithlittlequill–

TITIANIA (interrupting)Ipraytheegentlemortalsingagain.Mineearismuchenamour’dofthynote;soismineeyeenthralledtothyshape.Andthyfairvirtue’sforceperformdothmovemeso.Onthefirstview,tosay,toswear,Ilovethee.

BOTTOM Methinks,mistress,youshouldhavelittlereasonforthat:andyet,tosaythetruth,reasonandlovekeeplittlecompanytogethernowadays.

TITANIA Thouartaswiseasthouartbeautiful.I’llgivetheefairiestoattendinthee.(calling)Peaseblossom,Cobweb,MothandMustardseed!Enterfourfairies:PEASEBLOSSOM,COBWEB,MOTHandMUSTARDSEED

PEASEBLOSSOM,COBWEB,MOTHandMUSTARDSEED

Hail!Hailmortal?

TITANIA Come,waituponhim,leadhimtomybower.Tieupmylove’stongue,bringhimsilently.Exitall

Lightsfadeasactorsexit

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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes ActIIIsceneI

EnterFAIRYNARRATORSandOBERON

LX-Greenwash

NARRATOR1 Oberongrowsimpatient;waitinginanotherpartofthewood.

NARRATOR2 EnterPUCKPuckarrivesandhegleefullyrecountshowhediscoveredacompanyofactors,playingthemostmischievoustrickonamancalledBottombygivinghimanass’shead.AndhowBottom’ssinginghadwokenTitania.

PUCK Soitcametopass.Titaniawakedandstraightwaylovedanass.

OBERON ThisfallsoutbetterthanIcoulddevise.ButhastthouyetlatchedtheAthenian’seyeswiththelovejuice,asIdidbidtheedo?

PUCK Itookhimsleeping–thatisfinishedtoo.AndtheAthenianwomanbyhisside,that,whenhewaked,offorcemustbeeyed.

NARRATOR1 Puckbelieveshehasgrantedhismaster’swishesandmadeDemetriusfallinlovewithHelena.Althoughweknowdifferent.EnterDEMETRIUSandHERMIAcausingOBERONandPUCKtobecome‘tree’like

OBERON Standclose:thisisthesameAthenian.

PUCK

Thisisthewoman,butnotthistheman.

NARRATOR2 HermiaisconvincedthatDemetriushasmurderedherLysanderwhilsthewassleeping.

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HERMIA Haveyouslainhimthen?Henceforthbenevernumberedamongmen!

LX-Warmwash

DEMETRIUS Youspendyourpassiononamispricedmood.IamnotguiltyofLysander’sbloodnorishedead,foraughtthatIcantell.

HERMIA Ipraythee,tellmethenthatheiswell.

DEMETRIUS AndifIcould,whatshouldIgettherefore?

HERMIA Aprivilegenevertoseememore.ExitHERMIA

DEMETRIUS Thereisnofollowingherinthisvein.HerethereforeforawhileIwillremain.(DEMETRIUSliesdowntosleepinfrontofthe‘tree’)

OBERON (toPUCK)Whathastthoudone? LX–Greenwash

NARRATOR1 TisobvioustoOberonthatPuckhathmadeamistake.ThewrongmanisnowinlovewithpoorHermia.HesendsPucktofindHelenaassoonaspossible.ExitPUCK

NARRATOR2 OberondecidestodroplovepotionontoDemetrius’eyelids.HewillmakesurethatHelenaisthefirstpersonhegazesuponwhenhewakes.(OBERONputsflowerjuiceontoDEMETRIUS’seyelids)

SXtrack6(asOberonputsjuiceonDemetrius’seyelids)

DEMETRIUS (PUCKwalksontothestageandclaps–HELENAthenenters,soontobefollowedbyLYSANDER.DEMETRIUSwakesandfallsinstantlyinlovewithHELENA)OHelen,goddess,nymphperfectdivine.Towhatmylove,shallIcomparethineeyes?

LX–Warmwash

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LYSANDER FairHelen,mylove,mylife,mysoul,fairHelena.

HELENA Ospite!Ohell!Iseeyouallarebenttosetagainstmeforyoumerriment.Canyounothateme,asIknowyoudo,butyoujoininsoulstomockmetoo?

NARRATOR1 JustthenHermiaarrives,EnterHERMIAAndintimetohearLysanderconfesshislovetoHelena.

HERMIA Lysanderspeaksnotashethinks;itcannotbe.

HELENA (noticingHERMIA)Lo,sheisoneofthisconfed’racy!Now,Iperceivetheyhaveconjoinedallthreetofashionthisfalsesportinspiteofme.InjuriousHermia,mostungratefulmaid.Haveyouconspired,haveyoucontrivedtobaitmewiththisfoulderision?

HERMIA Iamamazedatyourpassionatewords.Iscornyounot;itseemsthatyouscornme.

HELENA HaveyounotsetLysander,asinscorn,tofollowmeandpraisemyeyesandmyface?Andmadeyouotherlove,Demetrius,whoevenbutnowdidspurnmewithhisfoot,tocallmegoddess,nymph,divineandrare,precious,celestial?

HERMIA Iunderstandnotwhatyoumeanbythis…howcanLysandernowloveyouandhatethme?(shepausesafewsecondsandherangerslowlygrows)Ome!Youjuggler,youcanker-blossom,youthiefoflove!Whathaveyoucomeatnightandstolenmylove’sheartfromhim?

HELENA Fie,fie,youcounterfeit,youpuppet,you!

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HERMIA Puppet?Whyso?Aythatwaygoesthegame.Herheight.Forsooth,shehathprevailedwithhim.AndaregrownsohighinesteembecauseIamsodwarfishandsolow?(veryangry)HowlowamI,thoupaintedmaypole?Speak!HowlowamI?Iamnotyetsolowbutthatmynailscanreachuntothineeyes.

HELENA (HELENAturnstoLYSANDERandDEMETRIUSforhelp)Iprayyou,thoughyoumockme,gentlemen,lethernothurtme.Youperhapsmaythink,becausesheissomethinglowerthanmyself,thatIcanmatchher.4

HERMIA Lower?Harkagain.

HELENA O,whensheisangry,sheiskeenandshrewd.Shewasavixenwhenshewenttoschool,andthoughsheislittle,sheisfierce.

HERMIA Littleagain?Nothingbutlowandlittle.Whywillyousufferhertofloutmethus?Letmecometoher!(HERMIAattacksHELENA,butLYSANDERintervenes)

LYSANDER Getgone,youdwarf,youminimusofhindringknot-grassmade!Youbead,youacorn.(HERMIAisthrowntothefloor,butherangerpropelshertochaseHELENAoffthestage)Nowsheholdmenot;Nowfollow,ifyoudar’st,totrywhoseright,ofthineormine,ismostinHelena.

DEMETRIUS Follow?Nay,I’llgowiththeecheekbyjowl.ExitDEMETRIUSandLYSANDERseparately

LightsfadeasDemetriusandLysanderexit

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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes

ActIIIsceneII

EnterNARRATORS,OBERONandPUCK

LX–Greenwash

NARRATOR1 OberonisnotpleasedwithPuck’smischief-makingwhichhassetthewomenandthemenateachother’sthroats.

NARRATOR2 HeordersPucktotireeveryoneoutandgiveshimsomedifferentflowermagicespeciallymatchedforLysander.

NARRATOR1 AndwhilstPuckisbusyhewillpersuadeTitaniatogivehimthechangelingboy.ExitOBERON

PUCK (PUCKenterswithHERMIA,HELENA,DEMETRIUSandLYSANDERinatrance.Hemagicallymovesthemaroundthewood)Upanddown,upanddownIwillleadyouupanddownIamfearedinfieldandtownGoblin,leadthemupanddown.(oncetheyareasleepPUCKsqueezesmoreflowermagiconLYSANDER’seyelids)(PUCKmovesupstage)Onthegroundsleepsound.I’llapplytoyoureye,gentlelover,remedy.Whenthoughwak’st,thoutak’sttruedelightinthesightofthyformerlady’seye,Themanshallhavehismareagain,andallshallbewell.

LX–SX–Track7(tobeginassoonasPuckbeginsmovingthe4lovers)

TITANIA EnterTITANIAandBOTTOMwiththeFAIRIESattending,andOBERON,behind,unseen

LX–Greenwash

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Come,sittheedownuponthisflowerybed,whileIthyamiablecheeksdocoy,andstickmusk-rosesintheysleeksmoothhead,Andkisstheyfairlargeears,mygentlejoy.

BOTTOM Imusttothebarber’s,formethinksIammarvelloushairyabouttheface.AndIamsuchatenderdonkey,ifmyhairdobuttickleme,Imustscratch.

TITANIA Say,sweetlove,whatthoudesiresttoeat?

BOTTOM Icouldmunchyourgooddryoats.MethinksIhavegreatdesiretoabottleofhay.

TITANIA Sleepthou,andIwillwindtheeinmyarms.Fairies,begone,andbeallwaysaway.ExuentFAIRIESO,howIlovethee!HowIdoteonthee!(theybothfallasleep)

TitaniaandBottomfallasleepupstage,right

NARRATOR1

EnterPUCKWhenPuckarrives,OberontellshimthatTitaniahaswillinglygivenhimthechangelingboy.

OBERON AndnowIhavetheboy,Iwillundothishatefulimperfectionofhereyes.(OBERONtouchesTITANIA’seyelidswiththeantidote.Shewakesandrises)

SX–Track8(asOberonmovestowardsTitania)

TITANIA MyOberon!MethoughtIwasenamouredofanass.

OBERON (indicatingBOTTOM)Thereliesyourlove.

TITANIA Howcamethesethingstopass?O,howmineeyesdoloathehisvisagenow!

OBERON Silenceawhile.Pucktakeoffhishead.

PUCK (toBOTTOM,removingtheass’s

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head)Now,whenthouwak’st,withthineownfool’seyespeep.ExuentOBERON,TITANIAandPUCK,leavingthefourloversandBOTTOMstillasleep

NARRATOR2 EnterNARRATORSThenextdayisTheseusandHippolytas’sweddingday,whichisalsothedayHermiahastodecidewhosheshouldmarry.

NARRATOR1 EarlyinthemorningTheseusandHippolytaareouthuntingwithEgeus,Hermia’sfather.

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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes ActIIIsceneIII

EnterTHESEUS,HIPPOLYTA,EGEUSandattendants.

LX–Warmwash

THESEUS But,soft!Whatnymphsarethese?

EGEUS MyLord,thisismydaughterhereasleep.Andthis,Lysander:thisDemetriusis-thisisHelena.Iwonderoftheirbeingheretogether

THESEUS Gobidthehuntsmenwakethemwiththeirhorns.TheLOVERSawakeGoodmorrow,friends.

SX–Frenchhorn

LYSANDER (confused,butloversscrambletotheirfeetandbow)Pardon,mylord.

THESEUS Iprayyouall,standup.Iknowyoutwoarerivalenemies.Howcomesthisgentleconcordintheworld?

LYSANDER (duetheantidoteLYSANDERhasforgotteneverything)Mylord,IcannottrulysayhowIcamehere.IcamewithHermiahither:ourintentwastobegonefromAthens.

EGEUS (interrupting)Ibegthelaw,thelaw,uponhishead–Theywouldhavestolenaway,theywould,Demetrius,therebytohavedefeatedyouandme:Youofyourwifeandmeofmyconsent,ofmyconsentthatsheshouldbeyourwife.

DEMETRIUS MyLord,theobjectandpleasureofmineeye,isonlyHelena.Toher,mylordwasIbetrothedereIsawHermia.ButlikesicknessdidIloathethisfood.But,asinhealth,cometomynaturaltaste.NowIdowishit,loveit,longfor

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it,andwillforevermorebetruetoit.

THESEUS Fairlovers,youarefortunatelymet;Egeus,Iwilloverbearyouwill,Thesecoupleshalleternallybeknit.AwaywithustoAthen;threeandthree,We’llholdafeastingreatsolemnity.ComeHippolyta.ExeuntallbutBOTTOM,stillasleep(snoringastheyleave,DEMETRIUSglancesoverhisshoulder)

FadelightsasDemetriuslooksoverhisshoulder

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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes ActIV,sceneI

(BOTTOMwakesstillbelievinghe’srehearsingfortheplay)

LX–Warmwash

BOTTOM Whenmycuecomes,callme,andIwillanswer.God’smylife!Ihavehadamostrarevision.MethoughtIwas–andmethoughtIhad–butmanisbutapatchedfoolifhewilloffertosaywhatmethoughtIhad.IwillgetPeterQuincetowriteaballadofthisdream;itshallbecalled‘Bottom’sDream’,becauseithathnobottom.ExitBOTTOM

NARRATOR1 Alittlelater,backinAthens…EnterQUINCE,FLUTE,SNOUTandSTARVELING

LX–Greenwash

QUINCE HaveyousenttoBottom’shouse?Ishehomeyet?

STRAVELING Hecannotbeheardof.Outofdoubtheistransported.EnterSNUG

SNUG MasterstheDukeiscomingfromthetemple,andthereistwoorthreelordsandladiestobemarried.Ifoursporthadgoneforward,wehadallbeenmademen.

FLUTE OsweetbullyBottom!Ifhecomenot,thentheplaygoesnotforward.(theactorssearchforBOTTOM)

SX–Track9LX–Lightsflash(ifpossible)LX–Greenwash

BOTTOM EnterBOTTOMWherearetheselads?

QUINCE Bottom!Omostcourageousday!Omosthappyhour!

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BOTTOM Masters,theDukehathdined,Dearactors,eatnoonionsnorgarlicforwasaretouttersweetbreath–ourplayispreferred.Nomorewords:away!Go,away!Exitall

Fadealllights

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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes ActIV,sceneII

EnterNARRATOR

LX–Warmwash

NARRATOR1 Whichishowthreecouples,andnotjustone,cametobemarriedthatdayandentertainedthatevening.

NARRATOR2 ThisstageissetasatthebeginningasTHESEUSandHIPPOLYTA,LYSANDER,DEMETRIUSandHELENA,withPHILOSTRATE(actorsreachpositionsandfreeze)Andthisiswhereourplaybegan.

THESEUS (toPHILOSTRATE)Iwillhearthatplay.Gobringthemin.ExitPHILOSTRATETHESEUS,HIPPOLYTA,DEMETRIUS,andHELENAmovetoupstagelefttowatchtheplayEnterQUINCE

SX–Track10

QUINCE Ifweoffend,itiswithourgoodwill.Thatyoushouldthink,wecomenottooffend,butwithgoodwill.Toshowoursimpleskill,thatisthetruebeginningofourend.Considerthen,wecomebutindespite.Wedonotcomeasmindingtocontentyou,ourtrueintentis.Allforyourdelightwearenothere.Thatyoushouldhererepentyou,theactorsareathandandbytheirshow,youshallknowallthatyouareliketoknow.ExitQUINCE,quicklyreturningwithSNOUT,aswall.

LX–Centrespot

SNOUT InthissameinterludeitdothbefallthatI,oneSnoutbyname,presentawall.

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Andsuchawall,asIwouldhaveyouthink,thathadinitacranniedholeorchink,throughwhichthelovers…(forgettingnames)

QUINCE (stagewhisper)PyramusandThisbe.

SNOUT PyramusandThisbe…Didwhisperoften,verysecretly.Thisloam,thisrough-castandthisstonedothshowthatIamthatsamewall;thetruthisso.Andthiscrannyis,rightandsinister,throughwhichthefearfulloversaretowhisper.EnterBOTTOM,asPyramus

THESEUS Pryamusdrawnearthewall;silence.

LX–Warmwash

BOTTOM Othis,Owall,Osweet,Olovelywall,Showmethychink,toblinkthroughwithmineeye.(SNOUTrevealsachinkinthewall)Thankscourteouswall.ButwhatseeI?NoThisbedoIsee.CursedBethestonesforthusdeceivingme!EnterFLUTE,asThisbe

FLUTE Owall,fulloftenhastthouheardmymoans,mycherrylipshaveoftenkissedthystones.

BOTTOM Iseeavoice;IcanhearmyThisbe’sface.Thisbe!

FLUTE Mylove!Thouartmylove,Ithink.

BOTTOM WiltthouatNinny’stombmeetmestraightaway?

FLUTE Comewithoutdelay.ExeuntBOTTOM,FLUTEandSNOUT.EnterSNUGaslionandSTARVELINGandmoonshineRe-enterFLUTE,asThisbe

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FLUTE ThisisoldNinny’stomb.Whereismylove?

SNUG (apatheticroar)Raaaa….FLUTErunsoffdroppinghercloak.SNUGattacksthecloakthenexits.EnterBOTTOMasPyramus

BOTTOM (toSTARVELING)Sweetmoon,Ithanktheeforthysunnybeams.(noticesThisbe’storncloak)Whatdreadfuldoleishere?Eyes,doyousee?Howcanitbe?Odaintyduck!Odear!Thymantlegood,What!Stainedwithblood?

HIPPOLYTA Ipitytheman.

BOTTOM (drawinghisswordandstabbinghimself)ThusdieI,thus,thus,thus!NowamIdead,NowamIfled;Mysoulisinthesky.Tongue,losethylight,MoontakethyflightExitSTARVELINGNowdie,die,die,die,die.EnterFLUTE,asThisbe

FLUTE Asleep,mylove?What,dead,mydove?OPyramusarise!(pickinguphissword)Farewell,friends;ThusThisbeends:(shestabsherselfanddies)

THESEUS MoonshineandLionarelefttoburythedead.

DEMETRIUS Ay,andwalltoo.

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BOTTOM (leapingupfromhisdeathbedandcomingoutofcharacter)No,Iassureyou,thewallisdown.Willitpleaseyoutoseetheepilogue?

HIPPOLYTA Noepilogue,Iprayyou.Lovers,tobed,‘tisalmostfairytime.Sweetfriendstobed.Exuentall

Lightsfadeasactorsleave

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Character Textandstagedirections LX/SX/Notes ActIV,sceneIII

EnterPUCKwithasweepingbrush.EnterOBERONandTITANIAandtheFAIRIES,alsowithbrooms

LX–Greenwash

OBERON Nowuntilthebreakofday,throughthishouseeachfairystray.Tothebestbride-bedwillwe.Whichbyusshallblessedbe.Andtheissuetherecreateevershallbefortunate.(indicatingTITANIAwillgowithhim)Tripaway,makenotstay;Meetmeallbybreakofday.ExuentallbutPUCK

PUCK (totheaudience)Ifweshadowshaveoffended,thinkbutthis,andallismended,thatyouhavebutslumberedhere,whilethesevisionsdidappear,andthisweakandidletheme,nomoreyieldingbutadream,So,goodnightuntoyouall.Givemeyourhands,ifwebefriends,andRobinshallrestoreamends.(hesweepshiswayoffstage)THEEND

LX–lightsfade,centrespot(onPuck)SX–Track11(quietlythanincreasevolumeafterPuckhasfinishedhismonologue)Thecastwillreturntostageandbow