Our Assistant Director, Meghan de Chastelain, gives us a unique insight into the colourful world of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”:

In Canada, I spent most of the past two years sitting at home, devoid of theatre. Last summer, there were only a handful of productions that were fortunate enough to go ahead despite social distancing and restrictions, but the lingering effects of the pandemic were evident: no mingling at intermission, no conversations with strangers in the cue for the toilets, no real contact with anyone outside your bubble. Even with the ability to be “back in public”, I felt alone.

I moved to Scotland in September to study at RCS and during my studies, have been challenged with determining my artistic voice, specifically what types of stories I want to tell. Pre-pandemic I would’ve described my work as challenging to audiences; I hoped that the plays I directed would encourage viewers to reconsider their own biases, challenge the way they view the world and hopefully, allow them to develop a newfound sense of empathy for others. But for some reason, this vision hasn’t felt entirely “right”. There is something missing for me; I need something lighter, something simpler. Most importantly, something that will make me feel connected again.

Adam Donaldson & Lynsey-Anne Moffat as Theseus & Hippolyta - or is it Oberon & Titania?

Now, more than ever, I need a place to escape; a place where the only goals are to laugh, love and find joy. Luckily, the world these actors are creating onstage in A Midsummer Night’s Dream is precisely that; it is an absolute roaring joy. I can’t remember the last show where I left rehearsals every day with a sore stomach because of how much I had laughed until I cried. When I met with Jen, the director, several weeks ago, she said her goal was to find the joy, in every moment. We should be able to stop, at any time during rehearsal, and identify the thing that is making us joyful. Little did I know the challenge would be finding a moment where there was no joy. After two years of separation and loneliness for everyone, I can’t express how magical it has been to be back collaborating with generous, energizing artists.

The “Mechanicals” gather to rehearse their play (From L to R: Grace Lyons, Katie Barnett, Michael Morrow & Chloe Din)

What initially drew me to theatre was its sense of magic and this show is stuffed to the brim with it. There are faeries and romance, songs and dancing, and a lot of rainbow costumes. It’s a world where it’s okay to be exactly who you are, a rather fitting play to be rehearsing and opening during Pride Month. It’s a place where people are supportive and loving of one another and where laughter and joy continues even when the world feels hard. Covid made me feel separate from the rest of the world and what I have craved, more than most things, is to connect and to laugh with others. This show is proving to be the perfect medicine.

Nick Bottom (Robert Elkin) & Peter Quince (Stephen Arden)

In one week of rehearsals, we’ve experienced it all: a full afternoon of dance to one of my favourite pop songs from 2014 (can you guess which one?); a very sweaty morning learning the music to the lullaby (a funky compilation of old songs made new) and the celebratory song at the end of the show (another classic from the early 2000’s); a rainstorm which had all of the cast huddling under a tree before retreating, sopping wet, to the Kibble; some highly lifelike and incredible puppetry work by one of Bard’s Associate Artists Stephen Arden; an interesting lunch for me researching magical tricks for my friend Puck and (my favourite): loads of chocolate biscuits. This production is a modern and refreshing twist on an old classic; I especially have loved how these female characters, so often unempowered in Shakespeare’s classics, have strong voices and even stronger actions. The women have a say and they get to make choices for themselves. Not only have these rehearsals made me laugh but they’ve reminded me that we can still do classics while making them relatable to a modern, progressive audience.

Katie Barnett (Helena) & Evie Mortimer (Lysandra) keeping up with the design’s rainbow theme!

This production is an explosion of joy, colour, laughter, love, music, inclusivity, dance, truth and discovery. This show is truly – and infectiously – joyous and has helped me to define the type of theatre I want to create; theatre that is magical, brings us together and makes people laugh. I am excited to head to the gardens every day to sit in the sunshine (or rain – it is Scotland after all) and be part of the actors’ magic. I cannot wait for week two of rehearsals and for audiences to experience this show. It has certainly been my daily joy and I am positive it will continue to be this week.

News

"Dreaming of Joy" - Inside the Rehearsal Room