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Adaptations and Contemporary Resonances

Every production of Shakespeare is diff erent, and can be altered by whoever produces it. Because Shakespeare’s work is not copyrighted, productions frequently cut, combine, or even reorder scenes in the play for a modern audience. This practice emphasizes certain elements of the text to tell a particular story. Additionally, the medium of art (fi lm or theatre) can also impact the way the text is treated and what creative decisions are made. Below, I provide a quick description of the unique elements of diff erent productions and how they treat the script. Consider these topics of inquiry as you sample through these pre-existing adaptations:

Inquiry

When comparing these productions with the MU Theatre performance, what creative choices are used to communicate character, plot, setting, and/or theme?

Does the MU Theatre performance treat a certain moment in the play differently than previous adaptations? If so, why?

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Comparing Theatrical Productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (all streamable)

Globe Theatre Production: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2013)

Directed by Dominic Dromgoole (available through Drama Online & Globe Player)

This production stays closest to the original script with what feels most like a faithful Elizabethan production. For example, costuming evokes images of ancient Greek satyrs, nymphs, and Celtic Druids for the fairies, while clothing the Athenians in traditional Elizabethan garb. However, something of note is the slight same-sex intimacy between Puck and Oberon, as Oberon kisses Puck (more celebratory and physical comedy than sexual) and has a physical sensuality with Puck, which may not be suitable in every watching environment. A great starter for students!

Key Moments:

  • Prologue: The War of Theseus & Hippolyta (created from this production): [00:00:48 - 00:03:14]
  • Act III, Scene II: The aforementioned kiss, but also a deviation from most stagings! Also utilizes a tarzan-like rope! [01:14:42 - 01:17:30]

Questions:

  • Consider how Oberon & Titania’s relationship is portrayed vs. Theseus & Hippolyta; are they similar, different, or something else? What about other characters?
    • How does this compare with MU Theatre’s approach to treating these characters?

Globe Theatre Production: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2016)

Directed by Emma Rice (available through Drama Online & Globe Player)

A much more modern interpretation that utilizes Indian aesthetics and musical stylings to revitalize the 400+ years old script, this production includes an explicitly queer love square (though fraught with toxicity) between Demetrius (Dr. Who & Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa), Lysander, Hermia and “Helen-US” with lots of sexual comedy. This adaptation is a bit saucy with sexual innuendo. The script is changed by substituting some Shakespearean threats and insults with contemporary expletives, and sometimes substitutes Elizabethan references for contemporary references. Would be an excellent discussion for WGS, FST/MJF, ENG, AAS, and THE classes on casting and identity for queerness, gender, race, and more! This is my top pick for college students, and for overall quality.

Questions:

  • How does the use of props, costumes, and setting create a new and contemporary feel for this old Shakespearean production? Does it work? How does this relate to the MU Theatre production?
  • Does the change in casting add to or detract from the performance? What are the implications of such a change?
  • How have certain characterizations changed? Do they enhance or muddle other changes within the script?

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2014)

Directed by Julie Taymor - Tubi TV (free), Amazon Prime Video (rent/buy)

Modern and surreal interpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream; this version really leans into the “dream” element of this play. This production also has no nudity or sexual comedy which makes it really accessible to high school audiences. It is a bit creepy due to the surreality of it, but performances are excellent!

Questions:

  • What does this adaptation do differently than other adaptations? What changes to the tone aff ect the humor and romance of the play?

Comparing Made-For-Film Productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (all streamable)

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1935)

Directed by Max Reinhardt - Amazon Prime Video (rent/buy)

One of the first sound films to stage Midsummer, this version is great as a classic depiction of the play, however it is two hours and twenty-three minutes. It takes a while to get through the introduction of the entire plot, as there are multiple dance sequences and establishing shots to contextualize the world. While a PG version of the play, it can be overstimulating with melodramatic performances, particularly of the fairies (especially Mickey Rooney who plays Puck). While I recommend the 1999 version over this version, they are both masterfully created and this version would make a great study for fi lm students due to its technical eff ects for its time, and given the stature of its director, Max Reinhardt.

Questions:

  • Even without color, how does this film influence the visual representation to add whimsicality?
  • What stylistic acting choices are used in this production? What style is this indicative of? How does it influence the comedy and romance of the play?

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999)

Directed by Michael Hoffman - Amazon Prime Video (rent/buy)

This is an accessible and straightforward adaptation of Shakespeare for film. It may not be suitable for all ages as there is partial nudity, though the rating is still PG-13 so it is appropriate for high school students. It is faithful to the original Shakespeare script, though it takes place in 19th-century Italy rather than ancient Athens. The performances are immaculate as well as the direction of the film, and it feels similar to Franco Zeffi reli’s 1967 The Taming of the Shrew; the fi lm is lush with ethereal, warm, and earthly texture – everything in this film feels like it jumped right out of a Renaissance era painting!

Questions:

  • How does this adaptation emphasize the romance of the text? What directorial choices influence this emphasis?
  • How does this adaptation use the film medium to its advantage? What context is added through conventions of film?

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2017)

Directed by Casey Wilder Mott - Amazon Prime Video (free with Amazon Prime)

Highly millennial, this film would be great to study in adapting Shakespeare to film. This film reminds me of the Joss Whedon version of Much Ado About Nothing, which both translate Shakespeare to film in a contemporary way. While not suitable for teen audiences (in educational settings) due to overt sexual themes, it does feature a star-studded cast and decent acting that can hook college students. The greatest conceit of the film comes when the film tonally feels like spoof or parody, which is where most of the comedy comes from. While maybe “cringey” at times, it is a nice study in how this particular play has been translated into modern film.

Questions:

  • How does the director change the comedy to speak to contemporary tastes of the time, and the setting the film uses?
  • How does this adaptation use the film medium to its advantage? What context is added through the conventions of film?