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This electrifying adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream directed by Stef O’Driscoll is a whirlwind of sweaty dance-offs and drum and bass love anthems, celebrating the vibrant tapestry of Manchester's contemporary rave scene.

The Palace nightclub reigns supreme in Athen’s hedonistic world. Its throne is occupied by The Duke and danger lurks in every beat. While the city prepares for a royal wedding four young ravers fight for a future they desire, each step bringing them closer to the edge of pleasure and peril. When they encounter an intoxicating forest, the lines between fantasy and reality blur as they find themselves caught in a dangerous game with some devious fairies. All this mayhem is overlooked by the Moon, a goddess of music in the sky.

Stef O’Driscoll makes her Royal Exchange directing debut with this contemporary vision for Shakespeare’s most lauded comedy. Celebrating Manchester’s synonymous links with dance, music and rave culture, this Dream takes place in a hedonistic and captivating world.

Making an on-stage appearance as The Moon is Manchester-based SALO, one of the most exciting emerging artists and musicians of today, tipped to take the music world by storm with her collaborations, new releases and appearance on Channel 4’s THE PIANO. Opening our season, this fantastical comedy invites everyone to get their dancing gear on and be ready to lose themselves to the beat.

This electrifying adaptation of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM is a whirlwind of sweaty dance-offs and drum and bass love anthems, celebrating the vibrant tapestry of Manchester’s contemporary rave scene.

Director Stef O’Driscoll said…  

“My relationship with Manchester has always been through its beautiful rave scene, mainly drum and bass and jungle music. I’ve had some of the best nights out here in Manchester, with the music of talented local artists serving as the soundtrack through messy heartaches, painful unrequited love to that new fizzy kind of love.

Blending the worlds of Shakespeare and Manchester’s current rave scene, I wanted to celebrate that music in this production and highlight Manchester’s many gifted artists, rappers, and MCs alongside Shakespeare.”