19th February 2016 marks the 420th anniversary of the wedding between Lord Thomas Berkeley and Elizabeth Carey- the wedding for which William Shakespeare wrote one of the most successful plays in theatre history- A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The play was performed for the very first time at the wedding, and in July 2016 will return to Berkeley Castle for what will be a history-making production of this play. Producer Tom Berkeley holds very close familial ties to the project as he is a descendant of the very Berkeley family for whom the play was written.
It’s a huge honour to bring ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, which holds such a special place in my family history, back to Berkeley Castle. In July, history will repeat itself; never again will this play be performed at a venue so fitting on such a special anniversary- it is truly unique. This July, ‘The Dream’ comes home.
Tom Berkeley, Producer
Set in the heart of a mythical forest surrounding Athens, four star-crossed lovers, a company of amateur actors and a fairy kingdom will collide to create one of the best-loved tales of falling in love- all in one night. But as we know, and as we are told; “The course of true love never did run smooth.”
