An outstanding Shakespeare with an extraordinary programme

Terra Nova’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the #ANDdream community and audience development programme that accompanied it, was an outstanding project that was truly transformational for all involved.

Terra Nova have brought a new audience to a quality theatrical experience…they should be very proud of the impact they’ve made.  Lusciously physical… Andrea Montgomery really succeeds in bringing to life the comedy as well as adding some modern twists.   The intentional diversity of the cast - age, gender and ethnicity - is unlike any other show that you’ll see in Northern Ireland.  Alan in Belfast Blog

Commissioned by Ards and North Down, and directed by Artistic Director Andrea Montgomery with Hannah Reilly (fairy children) and Benjamin Gould (court masque) this critically acclaimed production featured Northern Irish performers on the top of their game (Patrick McBrearty as Bottom, Roisin Gallagher as Hermia, Stefan Dunbar as Demetrius, Rosie McClelland as Titania and Thesea, and new comer Conor Cupples as Puck). Joining them were outstanding black British Shakespeare actors, David Monteith (Oberon and Hippolytus), Jamal Franklin (Lysander) and Comfort Fabian (Helena). Original music was by Nick Boyle, choreography by Suzannah McCreight, set and costume design by Diana Ennis, with hair and make up realised by volunteers lead by Lisa Cunningham-Black, lighting design by Conleth White, set and props crafts led by Debbie McCann and Madeline McGreevy and intercultural story telling by Raquel McKee. Montgomery also edited the script, created her own fight scenes and wrote a Court Masque for the Wedding with text drawn from across the Shakespeare cannon.

Transforming a 1950s dance hall in central Newtownards was a set composed of giant frames in which Ennis highlighted the production’s clashing intercultural worlds with everything from grease-proof paper, granny pants and dollies, to saris, to reclaimed wood from Northern Irish forests and shibori (all created by local crafters). Montgomery’s take on the production was witty and irreverent, and featured her usual careful exploration of gender switched characters and the resonance of multi-racial casting. The production highlighted Terra Nova’s intercultural methodologies and looked very deeply at what happens when clashing cultures attempt to make peace.

From the razor-sharp wit to the humorous physical performances, all the comedy elements of this play were magnificently carried out. As well as being a fantastic comedy, the adaption had an underlying theme of ‘Peace is nothing without Love’ which really shone during the wedding Masque. Hailing from Northern Ireland, which has a history blighted by civil war, the impact was resounding… Montgomery’s decision to incorporate a cast of visible minority actors, as well as the astute decision to gender swap some of the roles, created a wonderful dynamic in the play and made certain scenes all the more poignant.  I think access to such meaningful theatre helps us grow and evolve as a society… not only did the play convey a significant message, the cast and crew brought the story to life in a unique and innovative way.  The combination of stunning musical interludes, the powerful dialogue and physical performances which saw the actors constantly on the move, created a memorable evening of pure entertainment.  Comedy Culture Northern Ireland

The understated production and simple us of lighting and props hugely emphasized the quality of the performance.  Comic genius…honest, fresh and relevant…exceptional. Terra Nova has brought to the stage a modern, cultural and most importantly, funny production. The Bangor Spectator

The #ANDdream community and audience engagement programme underpinned every aspect of the production, and saw 80 community performers aged from 6 to 82 take to the stage along side the professionals as musicians, choir, dancers and performers for what was only the second such interweaving in Terra Nova’s 12 year history. All the professionals involved in the production supported the engagement, as did an outstanding technical team (Ashley Smyth, Jennie Newell, the McAllister brothers and costumiers Cecelia Davidson and Arlene Riley) and Terra Nova Associate Deirdre Cartmill who ran intercultural creative writing workshops in support of the project. Have a look at our intercultural engagement here https://youtu.be/UwQ5vJw4rFc

The on-stage team were supported by dedicated people from across Ards and North Down, working in all aspects of back-stage and front-of-house work, from hair and make up to set building and endless hours of office work led by Project Manager Josh Schultz. The #ANDdream programme ran over more than two years, reaching 741 people across 84 groups, through 165 workshops, then taking 162 participants through a twelve week production programme where they worked on craft, music, song, 3 acting streams, dance, technical, stage-management and front of house, led by Julian Eardley. The programme also included two R&D weekends exploring the stage, themes and intercultural practice underpinning the work, and two week-long follow up intensives.

Visiting scholar Rosa Garcia Periago supported the programme as did visiting international interns, Eneko Uribe Lasa, Elena Gomez and Yuquing Xie.

Other reviews include Journal Shakespeare