Peking University, Nov.22, 2011: As one of the most famous comedies by William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream has drawn in millions of fans and spectators by its humorous plots and unexpected ending. On November 16, the British excellent Take Note Troupe (TNT) put this drama on the stage at Peking University (PKU) Hall as the first in a series of Shakespeare performances.

 

The first of many performances of Shakespeare's play (PKU Hall)

 

A Midsummer Night's Dream portrays the adventures of four young Athenian lovers and a group of amateur actors in a moonlit forest, and narrating their interactions with the fairies who inhabit it and Duke Theseus of the AtheniansAthens. The play features three interlocking plots, connected by a celebration of the wedding of between Duke Theseus of Athens the Duke and the Amazonian queen Hippolyta.

 

 

A wonderful play is not simply remembered because of its unexpected ending; deep affection between the lovers often provides the main spotlights for Shakespeare's dramas. It makes the audience think of their own lives while laughing at humorous scenes. As the famous saying in theatre goes, "Each person has his own treasure; when you wake up, you will know." Love is so valuable and fascinating that it needs care and patience.

 

The audiences were all amazed at the brilliant skills of the actors and for their deep understanding of the characters. Another highlight of this production was that the troupe expressed the humor of Shakespeare's work naturally using many different devices, which made the atmosphere more active and lively.
 

 

The whole stage was decorated by a green curtain (PKU Hall)

 

During the performance, in order to show the background of a big forest, the whole stage was decorated by a green curtain to create a summer scene. In addition, the troupe used a clarinet to imitate the sound of the small insects outside on a summer night. The music in the drama was also very interesting. The song sung by the artists not only held the pace of the performance, but pleased the students in the audience as well.

 

Last, but not least, this drama combined a lot of Chinese elements. Some actors used Chinese to show their feelings, and used signs in Chinese as props. The audiences were all excited by such changes.

 

The performance pleased the audiences (PKU Hall)

 

At the end, the students at PKU Hall all stood up to applaud the artists. It is said that the play will be performed again on the evening of November 17.

 

A Midsummer Night's Dream is part of an ongoing exhibition of Shakespeare’s plays in China. Last semester, the TNT put on another famous play called Much Ado about Nothing by Shakespeare on the same stage, which was a hit with many students. This time, the university invited the troupe to return again and the performance succeeded in broadening students' horizons and promoting understanding between the two cultures.

 

Reported by: Feng Jiayang
Edited by: Arthars, DJRM