Session 1 In our opening session we learnt the plot of the play, and the characters we used three video

interpretations to extend our understanding. The animated Shakespeare video the year 2000 hoffman video and the bbc interpretation, these all contributed to this play synopsis: "A Midsummer Night's Dream" deals with the universal theme of love and its complications: lust, disappointment, confusion, marriage. The plot focuses on three parallel stories: the trials and experiences of two sets of lovers camping in a magical forest, the world of the Fairy King and Queen and their elves, and a group of rough craftsmen attempting to stage a production of "Pyramus and Thisby" for the wedding of the Duke of Athens. Hermia is in love with Lysander, but her father wants her to marry Demetrius. To escape the arranged marriage, she and Lysander escape into the woods. Demetrius follows them, and he is pursued by Helena, who nurses an unrequited passion for him. A love web develops among the young lovers when mischievous Puck plays Cupid. "The course of true love never did run smooth" says Lysander. Meanwhile, a group of amateur actors rehearses a badly-written play in the woods, and soon all find their lives changed by the doings of Oberon and Titania, the warring king and queen of the fairies. Magic, action, love and humour are the ingredients for this unforgettable spell that sends Nick Bottom into quite a daze. This work is widely performed around the world, and no wonder - it's about the world's most popular pastime, falling in love. But as Puck knows, falling in love can make fools of us all. Love is crazy, love is mad. Will love win out in the end? The Characters of the play are... Theseus, Duke of Athens Egeus, father to Hermia Lysander, Demetrius, in love with Hermia Quince, a carpenter Snug, a joiner Bottom, a weaver

Flute, a bellows-mender Snout, a tinker Starveling, a tailor Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons, bethrothed to Theseus Hermia, daughter to Egeus, in love with Lysander Helena, in love with Demetrius Oberon, king of the fairies Titania, queen of the fairies Puck, or Robin Goodfellow plays cupid

Below are a list of reasons why the different interpretations were useful to our exploration. Animated tales This version breaks down the play, making it easier to understand Gives an idea of what characters would look like Gives a very colourful, visual element. Fun and fluent

(2000) Hoffman A distinct difference in characters is shown. Ideas of costume for characters Voice accuracy Using CGI gives it a visual element Ideas on ow the characters can be played Ideas of how to stage

BBC interpretation Humorous, making it easier to remember plot Relatable to modern day English Ideas of staging

I particularly enjoyed the BBC interpretation as it was relatable to modern life, it was humorous o it was easier to understand the story line, and that what makes it the most useful to extend my learning of the play, in my opinion. We were given a quiz to do on what we knew so far about the play, i got 5 out of 10 which isnt a bad score but i know that if want to excel at this unit i eed to know the small details more and specifics to each character. the last few lessons I have found useful as i have an in depth knowledge of the plot and I am being able to see which characters I like, I am particularly interested to play Nick Bottom as he seems comedic and relative to my acting style.