Since 2001, "Shakespeare in the Arb" has presented outdoor performances of a chosen Shakespeare play each June, except during the pandemic. This year's play is "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The first scene was presented in the peony garden, which is a very popular site in the Nichols Arboretum -- "The Arb." Here you can see the introductory musicians. Behind the performers, you can see many people (the ones without costumes) visiting the peony beds which are at their peak this weekend.
The audience and players move from one location in the Arb to another. This performance had four or five such changes. It was a beautiful evening and very pleasant to walk in the woods and open spaces.
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| The "rude mechanicals" rehearse their play-in-a-play. |
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| Bottom the Weaver. |
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| The character Puck was played by three actors. I would prefer the traditional choice: just one Puck! |
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| Queen Titania about to go to sleep, with her four fairies chanting a lullaby. |
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| Queen Titania, bewitched by Oberon, falls in love with Bottom. He now has the head of an ass, thanks to a mischievous magic spell. |
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| Bottom with the fairies. |
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| Final applause for the players. Some cast members are students, and some are from the local community. |
2007: "The Tempest"
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| In 2007, the play was "The Tempest." The photo is from that performance. We have attended several other presentations of "Shakespeare in the Arb." The Arboretum and the presentation are sponsored by the University of Michigan. |
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| We took some sandwiches for a pre-performance supper. Our beverage: sparkling water (to share with Elizabeth). NOTE: This is not an ad! |
Blog post and photos © 2007, 2022, mae sander.
26 comments:
A lovely post. We have a Shakespearean theater and weekend in Oregon too. It is so much fun to attend. Have a great day today.
There used to be a Shakespeare festival annually in Tallahassee. I took my son Tristan for years when he was a kid and he loved it. Looks like a fun event.
This honestly looks like a blast. I haven't really seen any performances since the pandemic began, so a nice, big outdoor thing like this looks amazing. Also, interesting choice on the triple-Puck. I can see the rationale on it but I'm having trouble seeing how it would actually play out.
Oh, I miss Shakespeare in the Park! That looks like a perfect setting for Dream. What fun to move around to the various scenes.
This is fun! My sons did this play in high school. It was great.
This is a great way to enjoy some Shakespeare. Such a wonderful idea, I bet it must have been lovely to experience it. The peonies in your first photo look so beautiful. They belong to my favorite flowers.
Oh what fun!! Gotta love a bit of Shakespeare- and live outdoors on a beautiful day sounds perfect. Happy T day!
This is such a great way to see Shakespeare, especially this play. It looks like a lovely way to spend a summer evening.Thanks for sharing Mae. Happy T day and week ahead to you. Hugs-Erika
So fun! Thanks for sharing. Happy T Day!
I'm probably the only person in the world who has never read any Shakespeare. I may have read something in high school, but the teacher wasn't very good at explaining anything. Or, I didn't actually read any Shakespeare which is why I don't remember it. I think this would be a fun way to get exposed to one of the players, though. It looks like a lovely evening filled with fun.
I've never heard of that sparkling water, but it sounds refreshing. Thanks for taking us to Shakespeare in the Arb and sharing your sparkling water with us for T this Tuesday, Mae.
Pretty cool!
What a lovely experience. We are staying in the William Shakespeare room at an hotel near Stratford-on-Avon.
The Shakespeare performance looks interesting, glad you were able to see it! Happy T Day, Valerie
I would have liked to see this - Shakespeare among the peonies.
How fun! I've been to lots of Shakespeare in the Park experiences but yours looks more interactive and fun. Happy T Day Elle/EOTC xx
Hello,
It is fun to see a live performance outdoors. The arboretum and peony garden is a nice setting for the play. Take care, enjoy your day!
What a delightful thing to see this type of performance - wish they would do it here! We have the Alabama Shakespeare Theater nearby so it would be easy! Your drink choice is one I would pick as well - tastes like TV static but is super refreshing so I continue to buy it - lol. Happy T-day and hugz to you Mae.
A play in the arboretum, that sounds like fun. Especially changing to a different location a few times. I love arboretums, and if I had been there I would probably have stopped to watch some of the play. I don't know any of Shakespeare's plays. I know, it is a great lack of education, but i did not grow up in an English speaking country so I missed out on that.
I like the sound of your drink. Just water with a hint of something fresh. I always have bottles of carbonated water in the house and I like to drink it with a touch of lemon or just as is.
Happy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca
This performance of a Midsummer's Night outside in the gardens must have been magical. Happy T Day
How wonderful, so glad you had such a fabulous time 😀. Happy T Day! Hugs Jo x
I'm like Elizabeth and haven't read any Shakespeare other than in high school when it bored me to tears. I love theatre but not Shakespeare and oddly my husband does like.
High Park just up the street from us does Shakespeare in the Park too, https://dailyhive.com/toronto/shakespeare-returns-high-park.
And if you really want your fill of Shakespeare come up to Stratford Ontario!
Well Mae i don't think i could drag my hubby to a Shakespeare play nor am i a fan of that drink.. Something about sparkling water i just don't care for.. But i'm so happy you had a fabulous time and that you shared it with us. Happy T day to you!! Hugs! deb
What a perfect play to put on in an arboretum- your photos look great! We have outdoor theatre performances in parks here too! Those little streets around St Germain are lovely but I'm often too busy watching my step - I'm very good at tripping over - there will be a round up of random pics after next weeks post! Happy T Day, Chrisx
I love this play! SO much fun. And what a perfect production -- the setting is wonderful. Great pictures, too. Thanks!
What a fun way to see a play, Especially THIS play -- which was just made for the forest. Biggest sigh. It had to have been so delightful.
this looks like wonderful fun Mae!
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