Associação Avesso, in partnership with the Regional Secretariat for Tourism and Culture and the Regional Directorate for Tourism, presents ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, by William Shakespeare, from the 24th to 26th of May, at 8 pm, in the gardens of the Quinta das Cruzes Museum.
This world theatre classic will be presented, in English, as part of the Flower Festival 2024, thus creating a new cultural point associated with the celebrations of what is one of the main tourist attractions in the Region and admission is free.
“With this project – Shakespeare in the Gardens – it is intended, similar to what is done in other countries, to present a classic of world theatre in an open-air public space, this time, in a garden, seeking in this dramaturgical adaptation and staging to bring the text to contemporaneity. On a hot summer night, four fleeing lovers encounter nymphs, the fight between two magical rulers, cheeky goblins, love spells, and (most chaotic of all) a company of actors trying to stage a play. Love is tested and everyone gets lost in desire in this dream in the moonlit forest,” says the Regional Secretariat for Tourism and Culture in a statement.
“This project is to develop young regional artists and creatives, who need space to explore and express their ideas, devoid of any prejudice”, he says, noting that the production is by Teatro do Avesso, with executive production by Luís Melim and Maurícia Gabriel.
The fourteen member cast, is composed of a mix of regional actors, foreigners living on the island of Madeira, and four actors from London: Johan Ribbing (THESEUS / OBERON), Luana Jesus (HERMIA), Luciano Moniz (DEMETRIUS), Ana Camacho (HELENA), Idalina Brito (PEASEBLOSSOM), Maximilian Oberrauch (LYSANDER), Laura Mendonça (HIPPOLYTA / TITANIA), Milo Maris (PHILOSTRATE / PUCK), Mayra Nobre (QUINCE / COBWEB) and Adam Harkin (BOTTOM).
The presentation takes place in three specific areas of the garden of the Quinta das Cruzes Museum, leading the public to move through the various garden areas, with the entire garden being the scenic space and using its lighting and sound, we sought to create an atmosphere similar to that existing in the landscapes of Shakespeare’s texts. In terms of music, the production has a soundtrack resulting from the live performance of Post Fátima, two young emerging musicians in the regional/national music scene.
Seeking, whenever possible, to include young people involved in theatre training promoted by Associação Avesso, two members from the Cenas do Avesso Theatre Workshop also participate. Mariana de Abreu Gouveia and Margarida Coelho Sousa, along with Monika Gawryjolek, will be the fairies. The musical composition is in charge of Post Fátima, who also include Catarina Miranda (MUSTARDSEED) and Andreas Sidenius (MOTH).
The team is completed with Roberto Ramos in design and photography, Luís Melim in lighting design and sound operation, and Susana Brito in characterisation.
