World Premiere Tour
This performance is part of the BrokerLink Presentation Series.
A Fun, Appealing Story
William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of his most beloved comedies. Four Athenians find themselves in a forest inhabited by fairies who manipulate the humans and are engaged in their own domestic intrigue. It is a lighthearted, humourous and fun tale of love and, often misguided, magic set in motion by the mischievous trickster Puck. The ballet adaptation is set to Mendelssohn’s 1827 concert overture and 1843 instrumental score which includes the famous “Wedding March.”
Ballet: A Canadian Way
Bengt Jörgen will bring this story to life in his own original ballet version as a tribute to Canada’s North. Ballet Jörgen’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream will bring out the magic of Northern Canada’s woodland and tundra landscapes and creatures of the forest such as moose, beavers, bears, and squirrels. In addition to our professional dancers, each performance will include up to 10 age-appropriate roles for local young aspiring dancers, ages 9 to 17, through Ballet Jörgen’s Local Participant Program.
Built for our Audience and Communities
This family-friendly short ballet will captivate audiences of all ages and will warm the hearts of young and old alike.
Synopsis
ACT I
Prologue
Early Morning – Midsummer Night’s Eve 1951, Northern Alberta
Our friend Puck, a traveller and sprite hobgoblin, chances on the sleeping village of Athens – a northern town watched over by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Far away at Westminster Abbey, London, England
The wedding of Princess Elizabeth & the Duke of Edinburgh has taken place.
Village Square, Athens, Alberta
The news spreads that the Royals are coming to Canada and they will make a brief stop right here in Athens, Alberta!
Excitement builds – people stream into the square many, themselves, in love – Helena with Demetrius, Demetrius with Hermia, Hermia with Lysander, and Lysander with Hermia.
The postmistress, Quince, decides to put on a play in the Royal’s honour with her motley band of amateur actors, led by the swaggering woodsman Bottom.
The festive mood is abruptly punctured by a fight between Demetrius and Lysander over Hermia. She has been promised in marriage to Demetrius by her father, Egeus. Hermia, being in love with Lysander, refuses to accept.
Lysander and Hermia decide to elope through the nearby forest to the next village. Demetrius is in hot pursuit of his promised partner, and Helena is in turn on his heels with the aim to turn his heart towards her.
Behind the Post Office
Quince reveals to her motley crew that the Play they will perform is The Most Lamentable Tale of Pyramus and Thisbe and assigns roles. To avoid curious onlookers, they retreat into the forest to find a secluded place to rehearse.
In the Forest
Puck is frolicking with fairies from far and near.
Queen of the Fairies, Titania, and King of the Fairies, Oberon, meet up but are interrupted by a wonderous silver lynx that they both desire to keep as their own. Titania wins the struggle and departs with the Lynx. Oberon, enraged, plots his revenge.
Oberon sends Puck around the world to find a magical flower that will cause a person to fall instantly in love with the first being they see.
While waiting for Puck to return, Oberon chances on Helena desperately pleading with cold-hearted Demetrius for his love. Taking pity on Helena, he picks up Demetrius’s discarded jacket and instructs Puck to find the young man to whom it belongs and enchant him to fall in love with Helena.
Oberon then hears Titania’s retinue approach as they scope out a perfect place for their mistress to sleep. Oberon, back to his mission of revenge, waits until Titania is asleep and applies the love potion to her eyes.
In the meantime, the exhausted Hermia and Lysander decide to rest for the night in the clearing. Hermia insists, for propriety’s sake, that Lysander must sleep away from her until they are married. Puck, still searching for Demetrius, sees the sleeping teenagers, and mistaking Lysander for Demetrius, he applies the love potion and thinks – mission accomplished!
Demetrius, still fleeing Helena, stumbles on Lysander who immediately wakes. Lysander eyes fall on the pursuing Helena and he instantly falls in love, professing his passion for her. Helena flees in horror, pursued by the now madly in love Lysander. This leaves Hermia alone as she wakes up from a nightmare. Discovering Lysander gone but recognizing Demetrius’s jacket, she is convinced her dear love Lysander is in danger or worse. She sets out to find him.
Quince, Bottom and Friends have found the perfect place to rehearse! But discord soon follows and playful Puck adds mayhem by turning Bottom into a moose! The commotion awakes Titania who then spies the Moose and…. falls head over heels in love with the beast – all to Oberon’s delight. What embarrassment! Sweet revenge!
ACT II
In the Forest
Hermia finds and confronts Demetrius, accusing him of harming Lysander. Demetrius, completely confused and exhausted, falls asleep.
Oberon, realizing that Puck has enchanted the wrong man, applies the love potion to Demetrius and sends Puck to bring Helena back so things can be set right. As Helena arrives, she falls onto Demetrius, who wakes and instantly loves her. But Lysander still under the spell continues in hot pursuit of Helena. Both men now chase Helena who struggles to escape. Hermia arrives, and full chaos ensues.
Oberon, blaming Puck for the mayhem, orders Puck to arrange things properly: have the correct man fall asleep beside the correct partner. Oberon uses the antidote to release Lysander and then does the same for Titania. Titania wakes and is horrified to find herself beside a Moose and retreats to Oberon. Oberon realizes he went too far, and both he and Titania remorsefully embrace each other.
Lastly, before leaving the clearing Oberon wakes the two couples – now contently in love with the correct partner.
The watchful Mountie, who was left searching for the missing teenagers, finds the four reconciled lovers who only remember their discord as if in a dream. All rush back to Athens to greet the Royals with a proper wedding celebration. Puck releases Bottom who reunites with his friends and rushes back to put on their play.
Village Square, Athens, Alberta
The Royals arrive – the young lovers get married – Quince, Bottom and Friends put on their play – all is well. As the Royals depart, Puck puts the everyone to sleep.
If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended:
That you have but slumber’d here
While these visions did appear.
So good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.
This performance is part of the BrokerLink Presentation Series.
