Shakespeare With A Jazzy Heart

Shakespeare has been re-imagined in many locations over the year and now the Bard's Midsummer Night's Dream will find itself set in New Orleans in a new production being staged by Ruby In The Dust.

This unique version of A Midsummer Night's Dream will have a jazz infused feel with music played live by the cast including material by Dr John, Louis Armstrong, Randy Newman and Professor Longhair, amongst others.

This 'Dream' is adapted and edited by Linnie Reedman stays faithful to the original text, whilst exploring the rich culture of New Orleans and the influences of Voodoo.

Oberon and Titania are portrayed as “The Night Tripper” and Voodoo Queen respectively, while the ‘Mechanicals’ form one of the earliest New Orleans jazz bands. ‘The play within a play’ evolves into a Mardis Gras style jam session. On Friday and Saturday evenings any musically minded audience members are also invited to bring their instrument to join in an after-show jam session with the cast.

A Midsummer Night's Dream runs at the Arts Theatre from 4 - 30 August 2015.