Presented by Royal Winnipeg ballet, this production is choreographed by John Alleyne, and is inspired by a 1692 opera of the same name by English composer Henry Purcell. The opera was itself inspired by Shakespeare’s popular romantic comedy A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream.
Written between 1590-96, Shakespeare’s play opens in Athens, where Theseus (who is a Duke) is about to marry Hippolyta (who is the Queen of the Amazons). Other plot threads include a troupe of touring actors who intend to put on a play to celebrate the marriage, and young star-crossed lovers Hermia and Lysander and Helena and Demetrius. There’s also Oberon and Titania (the King and Queen of the Fairies respectively) who meddle in the affairs of the humans and a whole bunch of romantic confusion ensues.
If you happen to be in Saskatoon in the next few days, the RWB is presenting The Fairie Queen at TCU Place on Tuesday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. The Regina performance goes at Conexus Arts Centre on Wednesday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $30.25-$82, and can be obtained at the Conexus website.
