A Midsummer Night's Dream is a play by Shakespeare. It was shown in the Opera Theater at the Opera House. There are many theaters at the Opera House. If you just want the experience, spend the money to see a show in the Concert Hall. It will get your money's worth. But, this particular show was not shown there.
I have to say that I am fairly disappointed about the play for several reasons. One being that it is an opera with an Aussie accent. It was hard to understand and it has been years since I read the play. So for most of the Act I, I didn't understand much. I got a bit sleepy...oops.
Second, the stage, costume, and music weren't spectacular, and in mind I was hoping for something of the same quality as Wicked. When it wasn't, I was bummed. =( Anyway, that was my fault.
Third, and most important of all, I didn't like how they had some sexual remarks/acts in the play which I felt was completely unnecessary. It just made you wonder what play is it? Shakespeare?? really?? It was pretty much a what-the-heck moment. Perhaps it has something to do with me coming from the Midwest, that we don't really publicly express stuff like that. In fact, people are scared to even express out loud, let alone on a stage performing. People here more open to that kind of stuff. It has been more than once that I ran into something like this in Sydney. People here are just not afraid or reserved on stuff like that. I don't know if I could ever open myself with that, but I accept the fact that it happens here.
The stage:
For those who want to know more about the play, here is the synopsis (kind of confusing, and a variation of the original) provided by the Opera House:Act I:
Oberon and Tytania quarrel over the Indian child. Oberon dispatches Puck to find a magic herb the juice of which will "make man or woman madl dote upon the next live creature that it sees", in order to plague his Queen and possess the child. Lysander and Hermia meet and plan their elopement, to avoid Hermia's betrothal to Demetrius.
Overseen by Oberon, Demetrius enters, pursued by Helena: Helena is in love with Demetrius, while he loves Hermia. Puck returns with the magic herb and Oberon now charges him to use it to make Demetrius enamored of Helena
The mechanicals set about casting their play, "Pyramus and Thisbe". Puck mistakes Lysander and Hermia, sleeping, for Demetrius and Helena. He anoints Lysander with the magic juice, but it is Helena abandoned by Demestrius, who wakes him and as a result of the enchantment Lysander is now utterly in love with Helena. Oberon finds the sleeping Tytania and squeezes the juice on her eyes.
Act II:
The mechanicals' rehearsal goes forward. Puck puts an ass's head upon Bottom. Unaware, Bottom scars away his companions and wakes the enchanted Tytania--who falls in love with him.
Hermia is abandoned by Lysander and pursued by Demetrius. Oberon enchants Demetrius, who wakes to find Helena, who can be forgiven for thinking that both of them and the spurned Hermia are mocking her. Oberon gives Puck another herb to disenchant Lysander.
Act III:
Oberon, satisfied that he has the Indian child, determines to resolve "this hateful imperfection:, disenchants Tytania and promises to see the "pairs of faithful lovers wedded with Theseus all in jollity".
The lovers awake, now tidily paired. Bottom, too, wakes up and, rejoining his crew, makes final preparation for their play.
At Theseus' Palace, Theseus and Hippolyta are joined by the four lovers and a triple wedding is planned. The mechanical present the "lamentable comedy of Pyramus and Thisbe" for the court's entertainment. Festivities are concluded at midnight, the couples retire, and the fairies return to bless the palace and the nuptials.
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