From the Choreographer —

Shakespeare’s masterpiece of comedy ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is a work of genius and has captured the hearts of many, young and old in the centuries since it was written.

It’s timeless plot of love, jealousy, and mistaken identities, and has provided artists of every genre with inspiration since it’s creation and dance is no exception. To be able to take Shakespeare’s witty and glorious text and transform this into movement is a huge responsibility but a delightfully fruitful one also. My aim was always too remain faithful and true to what I believe Shakespeare had intended with this work, but to be able to show it in a fresh and vibrant re-working, bubbling with all the delight and humour that the wonderful array characters conjure up through their own intertwining stories.

I would like to thank my production team for making this magical world come to life in such a vivid and unbelievable way. And most importantly to the dancers of Royal New Zealand Ballet, who without their trust, honesty and pure dedication none of this would have been possible, their passion and commitment to making this creation come alive has been incomparable and I have nothing but sincere gratitude towards them.

As with any great story that has ever been told, I want to take my audience on a journey and through a blazing trail of emotions along the way, so that every individual can enjoy their own ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’.

Liam Scarlett