OVO’s musical adaptation of The Dream will transport audiences to the glittering, hustling, hip-swivelling age of classic disco!
In the beige 1970s in a down-at-heel working men’s club in northern England, caretaker Nick Bottom dreams of stardom. Meanwhile, Mia, Helen, Dean and Andy are snogging, drinking, fighting, and arguing, much to the disapproval of their parents.
Until… a mystical figure appears and they’re all transported to a dream world where an enchanted palace offers games of music, dreams, and fantasy. But will Nick find his voice, and will the lovers find a partner before the music stops?
This hugely entertaining, musical re-mix of Shakespeare’s evergreen romantic comedy features some of the best dance music ever produced, from the likes of Gloria Gaynor, Bee Gees, Donna Summer, The Jacksons and many more, played by a live band under the stars.
Ahead of the run we caught up with Grace Bassett who will play Helena in the production.
What can you tell me about this production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream?
OVO’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is a whirlwind show!! Set in the 70s, in a working men's club up in Blackburn; we infuse iconic disco tunes into the evergreen rom-com plot, while also exploring the dark undertones of Shakespeare’s text. The famous tunes are brought to life by 5 very talented actor musicians on stage throughout the show!
OVO’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is a whirlwind show!! Set in the 70s, in a working men's club up in Blackburn; we infuse iconic disco tunes into the evergreen rom-com plot, while also exploring the dark undertones of Shakespeare’s text. The famous tunes are brought to life by 5 very talented actor musicians on stage throughout the show!
For those unfamiliar with the plot, how does Helena fit into the story?
Helena is one of the 4 lovers who we meet in the play. She is fixated on Demetrius, however he is set to marry her childhood friend Hermia; girlfriend of Lysander … it’s more of a ‘love square’ then a ‘love triangle’, and each of the lovers’ feelings evolve throughout the play. Adam Nichols’ spin on the character Helena allows her to be a real symbol of feminism and I’m having a lot of fun exploring her journey in the play with these additional layers to the character.
Helena is one of the 4 lovers who we meet in the play. She is fixated on Demetrius, however he is set to marry her childhood friend Hermia; girlfriend of Lysander … it’s more of a ‘love square’ then a ‘love triangle’, and each of the lovers’ feelings evolve throughout the play. Adam Nichols’ spin on the character Helena allows her to be a real symbol of feminism and I’m having a lot of fun exploring her journey in the play with these additional layers to the character.
What attracted you to be a part of this production?
What drew me most to this production was its adaptation. The play itself is a favourite of mine, but to then combine it with my favourite decade of music and dance was the cherry on top!
What drew me most to this production was its adaptation. The play itself is a favourite of mine, but to then combine it with my favourite decade of music and dance was the cherry on top!
You’ve performed with OVO before, how do you reflect on your experiences and how excited are you to be back?
I was very lucky to be a part of ‘Private Lives’ and ‘the Railway Children’ for OVO’s 2023 summer festival. The Roman Theatre is such a magical venue to perform in (rain or shine) and the company is truly awesome to work with. They are professional, ambitious and creative with every project, and at the heart of it all, is their love for storytelling. I am very excited to be back with a very different show, and with yet another very talented cast and crew
I was very lucky to be a part of ‘Private Lives’ and ‘the Railway Children’ for OVO’s 2023 summer festival. The Roman Theatre is such a magical venue to perform in (rain or shine) and the company is truly awesome to work with. They are professional, ambitious and creative with every project, and at the heart of it all, is their love for storytelling. I am very excited to be back with a very different show, and with yet another very talented cast and crew
How do you approach putting your own stamp on a role that has been played hundreds of times previously?
I find the adaptation a huge help for this! Helena, I believe, is typically portrayed as insecure and dramatic, but (without giving away any spoilers) my version of Helena focuses more on her juggling what she believes she deserves, with what she actually desires, and we see her navigate this revelation throughout the play.
How much do you think the show is enhanced by the setting at the Roman Theatre?
The Roman theatre is the perfect location for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. For a large portion of the play we transport the audience into a dream-like, fantastical, magical “wood”, and so the outdoor theatre’s natural surrounding beauty and wildlife really compliment the atmosphere we are wanting to create.
The Roman theatre is the perfect location for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. For a large portion of the play we transport the audience into a dream-like, fantastical, magical “wood”, and so the outdoor theatre’s natural surrounding beauty and wildlife really compliment the atmosphere we are wanting to create.
This production is set in the 1970s, how does this impact the storytelling?
We have all really considered what life was like back in Blackburn in the 1970s and have enjoyed playing with how we can incorporate the traits of life back then into our characters, and into all the scenes. I think in particular, we delve into the stereotypical gender roles of the time, putting a spotlight on the inequality that women sadly faced in their everyday life.
We have all really considered what life was like back in Blackburn in the 1970s and have enjoyed playing with how we can incorporate the traits of life back then into our characters, and into all the scenes. I think in particular, we delve into the stereotypical gender roles of the time, putting a spotlight on the inequality that women sadly faced in their everyday life.
This setting allows for the use of some great tunes, can you give us an example of how they integrate with the storyline?
Thanks to the never-ending disco tunes from the decade, we are really able to indulge in collaborating these songs with the key circumstances of the play. I won’t reveal any specific tunes - so not to spoil anything - but I can confirm that all songs compliment their scenarios beautifully, and will no doubt be very satisfying and enjoyable for our audience.
Thanks to the never-ending disco tunes from the decade, we are really able to indulge in collaborating these songs with the key circumstances of the play. I won’t reveal any specific tunes - so not to spoil anything - but I can confirm that all songs compliment their scenarios beautifully, and will no doubt be very satisfying and enjoyable for our audience.
What was the first piece of theatre that had a big impact on you?
Growing up I was very lucky to see lots of great theatre with my family. I knew from a very young age I wanted to perform; my greatest impact from theatre was seeing Billie Piper in ‘Yerma’ (2017). I left the Young Vic thinking “Yep. What she did. That’s exactly what I want to do”.
Growing up I was very lucky to see lots of great theatre with my family. I knew from a very young age I wanted to perform; my greatest impact from theatre was seeing Billie Piper in ‘Yerma’ (2017). I left the Young Vic thinking “Yep. What she did. That’s exactly what I want to do”.
What gives you inspiration as a performer?
What inspires me most is having the power to tell someone else’s story. I really love all of the characters I take on and think it crucial to sympathise with whoever you are playing. I always endeavour to know my character inside out so that when it comes to sharing their story with an audience, they are seen and heard as a whole life, and not just a figure that lives within a plot.
What inspires me most is having the power to tell someone else’s story. I really love all of the characters I take on and think it crucial to sympathise with whoever you are playing. I always endeavour to know my character inside out so that when it comes to sharing their story with an audience, they are seen and heard as a whole life, and not just a figure that lives within a plot.
What do you hope an audience member takes away from seeing this production?
For this show my main hope is that the audience leave feeling well and truly entertained. I think the show allows our audience to switch off from the everyday, and get lost in the magical world we create through song, dance and Shakespeare’s text… it’s an added bonus of course if they also leave with some funky OVO merchandise :)
For this show my main hope is that the audience leave feeling well and truly entertained. I think the show allows our audience to switch off from the everyday, and get lost in the magical world we create through song, dance and Shakespeare’s text… it’s an added bonus of course if they also leave with some funky OVO merchandise :)
Where and when can audiences see the show?
We will be performing at the glorious Roman Theatre Open Air Festival in St Albans 27th June - 13th July. We are then taking the show to the incredible Minack Theatre in Cornwall from 21st - 24th July. Be sure to grab your tickets quick before they sell out at ovo.org.uk
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