Shakespeare's Enchanted Forest comes to life this Christmas

Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, August 10, 2024

This Christmas, the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) brings the magic back with the highly anticipated return of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Originally premiered to great acclaim in 2015 and choreographed by the late Liam Scarlett, this enchanting ballet will captivate audiences again from 24 October 2024 to 24 December 2024. This will also be the production's first tour outside Wellington in nearly a decade.

A classic story retold

Based on one of William Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream weaves stories of love, mischief and magic in an enchanted forest.

The play mixes human and fairy-tale characters, including the mischievous Puck, who creates chaos among the lovers in the forest with a magical love potion.

The RNZB production translates this whimsical story into dance, with choreography by Liam Scarlett, set and costume designs by Tracy Grant Lord and lighting design by Kendall Smith, all set to the enchanting music of Felix Mendelssohn.

The result is a visually magnificent performance that enchants audiences of all ages with its humor, romance and magic.

RNZB soloist Shaun James Kelly, who originally danced the role of Puck in 2015, recalls the experience fondly: “Being one of the original 'Pucks' in A Midsummer Night's Dream in 2015 remains one of the highlights of my decade at RNZB. Bringing this iconic character to life and hearing the laughter and gasps of the audience as the story unfolds is truly magical – it's funny, whimsical and unashamedly romantic. Flying across the stage in the magical forest world is a pure delight for the dancers and the audience.”

Season highlight

The 2024 season of A Midsummer Night's Dream will include performances across New Zealand, accompanied by live music from the Orchestra Wellington, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonia under the direction of the esteemed Hamish McKeich.

This co-production with Queensland Ballet will be a dazzling highlight of the Christmas season, providing a perfect celebration of ballet, music and theatrical wonder.

RNZB Artistic Director Ty King-Wall expressed his excitement for the upcoming season, saying: “What a pleasure it is for us to end our glittering 2024 season with A Midsummer Night's Dream. There is so much to see and appreciate in this production, for both children and the young at heart. Tracy Grant Lord's set is a wonder that makes you want to jump out of your seat and explore, and Liam Scarlett's wonderfully imaginative, complex and layered choreography brings this magical collection of characters to life.”

Audiences across New Zealand will have the opportunity to experience this magical production as it tours the country, with performances in Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Palmerston North, Napier, Rotorua and Auckland.

We celebrate a decade of partnership

This year's season is particularly significant as it marks a decade of collaboration between the RNZB and its main partner Ryman Healthcare. CEO Cheyne Chalmers expressed her pride in the ongoing partnership: “It is an honour to celebrate our beloved partnership with the Royal New Zealand Ballet as they bring the enchanting 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' to life. As we celebrate a decade of collaboration, our commitment to supporting the arts and the RNZB's exceptional talent remains unwavering. We are thrilled to be part of this magical production and eagerly anticipate the joy and inspiration it will bring to audiences across New Zealand.”

Praneeta Mahajan is a Indian Newslink Reporter based in Hamilton.