Shakespeare presented for free in the woods of Clinton

Island Shakespeare Festival’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” opened last weekend to sunny skies, the warm weather setting the stage for a wild ride of mishaps, dreams and ludicrous love triangles.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will continue through Aug. 26 at the Storyhouse Stage in the magical woods of Chinook in Clinton.

Directed by festival founder Rose Woods, the play is one of Shakespeare’s most popular and it’s easy to see why. With its combination of Puck-punk’d lovers, the elegant and ethereal forest King and Queen of the fairies and their sweet minions, and the measured comedic brilliance which Shakespeare has provided Bottom, the overconfident weaver, and his cohort “mechanicals,” the play contains the best of the bard’s chaotic and highly entertaining plots.

In her program notes, Woods talks about the nature of the play and its dreams.

“There is something about the world being out of balance until the magic of the forest wraps around the confused lovers and rustic actors, drawing them deeper into the enchanted woods in a frolicsome romp that eventually leads to harmony, that utterly delights me. And perhaps that’s the nature of dreams, whether waking or sleeping or envisioning simply our own imaginings.”

Now in its third season, Island Shakespeare Festival welcomes visitors into the woods for a free, festival experience for the whole family to enjoy. Bring a blanket, or a lawn chair and a picnic dinner, dress in layers and get comfortable as you are transported into the Athenian woods with the capricious and spirited Puck as your guide.

Curtain is at 5 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Aug. 26. Arrive one-half hour in advance for the best seating.

The Storyhouse Stage is located at 6449 Old Pietila Road in Clinton. Visit www.islandshakespearefest.org for more information or call 360-221-1710.

 

 

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