A Midsummer Night's Dream
Adapted by Cecil Pickett. Based on the play by William Shakespeare.
Product Code: MM3000
One-act Play
Comedy
Cast size: 4 to 7m., 6 to 9w.
Livestream and Record & Stream Rights Available
Rights and availability
This title can be licensed and sold throughout the World.
* Please note the royalty rate listed is the minimum royalty rate per performance. The actual royalty rate will be determined upon completion of a royalty application.
Synopsis
In this one-act adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream—winner of the Texas UIL state championship and a featured play at the Houston Shakespeare Festival—Cecil Pickett shows his knack for knowing what to include and what to leave out of the original Shakespeare text without jarring transitions, awkward changes of character, or disrupting blackouts. We see and clearly understand the family spat between Oberon and Titania and the manner in which this conjugal disagreement affects the efforts of a group of tradesmen rehearsing a play. We delight in the antics of the mischievous Puck. We laugh at the ineptness of the Rustics in trying to stage their play. We chuckle at Bottom's desire to play every role—and we howl with delight at Bottom's ass's head and Titania's infatuation with the monster. Pickett's adaptations are arranged with the play script on the right-hand page and corresponding detailed stage directions and suggestions on the left-hand page. Audiences fortunate enough to see a Pickett-directed play are always enthralled by the style, the grace, the charm and the choreographed movement. A sense of charm and grace are key in certain scenes: when Puck wafts glitter through the air to the tinkling accompaniment of bells, when Titania's fairies carry her in on a palanquin with choreographed style and when Oberon stops action with flowing gestures. This graceful style is especially effective when it is rudely interrupted by the boorish, earthy, plodding Rustics.
Notes
Livestream and Record & Stream Rights Available
Details
- Status In stock
- Type of Show One-act Play
- Product Code MM3000
- Minimum Cast Size 10
- Pages of Dialogue 22
- Min. Royalty Rate $40.00/perf
- Approx. Run Time 35 min
- Staging Simple set.
Categories
- Target Audience Middle School | High School | Family (all ages)
- Performing Group Middle School | High School
- Genre Comedy
Customer Reviews
This is a great cutting that establishes the foundation for the story and moves it along at a fun pace with well-loved lines. The Mechanicals are a highlight that's fun for both the actors and the audience. This one-act was a great choice for a virtual production.
This is a wonderful script. A great way to give students a chance to perform Shakespeare when your rehearsal time is limited.
Production Map
| Location | City | State | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amelia Community Theatre | Fernandina Beach | FL | 04/22/2025 | 04/22/2025 |
Also By These Authors
Lynn Parrish, Broaddus High School, Broaddus, Texas